Last updated: 10/3/2012
Berne, Indiana
Street Address
1200 Swiss WayBerne, IN 46711
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 88Berne, IN 46711

Hours

May
Saturday
10 AM - 4 PM
June 1st through October 31st
Tour guides (docents) available for guided tours.
Monday - Saturday
10 AM - 4 PM
Sunday
closed
Also closed on holidays

Admissions

Adults: $6
Seniors (over 55): $5
Children (6-12): $3
Children under 6: Free
adult groups of 10+: $4

Staff

Doug Milligan
phone: 260-589-8007
Jane Velasco
phone: 260-589-8007
e-mail:
Description

Swiss Heritage Village & Museum is the largest outdoor museum in northern Indiana with 11 historic buildings on 26 acres. Included are the Sweitzer barn, a farm house with garden, a cheese house, a log cabin in a 5-acre wooded area with pond, the original Mennonite Church in the area, a doctor's office, a one-room brick school house and the world's largest active cider press. Tours are available from June 1st through October 31st from 10 AM to 4 PM, except Sundays and holidays.

Mission

To spark and sustain an interest in the cultural heritage of Berne, Indiana and southern Adams County by promoting learning through discovery.

History

Founded in 1985,the restored historic buildings date back to the 1850's. The Swiss emigrants, known as Anabaptists because of tremendous persecution in Switzerland for their Anabaptist beliefs and practices, came to southern Adams County to seek new opportunities in the great land of America. The historic buildings include a classic pre-Civil War farm house built in 1856, a Sweitzer Barn built in the early 1800's, a cheese house in operation since the late 1800's, a one room brick school house built in 1881, the Baumgartner Church, the first Mennonite fellowship in Indiana, and the Hauenstein Cider Press, active since 1856.

Artifact Collections

Indoor museum contains many artifacts and displays depicting early and current life in this Swiss community. All outdoor historic buildings contain historic artifacts and weaving looms in the summer kitchen.

Research Collections

We are proud of the display featuring Berne native Richard Schrock who received the NOBEL Prize in chemistry.

Educational Programs

Each September we host over 1,500 fourth-grade students from 8 counties in Indiana and Ohio for Education Day. We have 350 volunteers working with the students as they visit the historic buildings and participate in activities that relate to their cultural heritage. Included are games and activities including two merry-go-rounds dating back to the 1800's.

Facilities

Gift Shop. Indoor Museum. Eleven historic buildings for touring. Large Sweitzer barn sometimes used for gatherings and meals.

Governance

Board of Directors (15) and Executive Director

Swiss Heritage Society, Inc.

Publications

Semi annual newsletter and web site.

1=Newsletter. Need email address.
Services

Gift shop open and tours available. Special event rental of barn, church and log cabin available. Phone 260-589-8007.

Gift Shop
Special Event Rental
Group Tours
ADA

Ramps available for most buildings. Golf cart assistance available.

Wheelchair Accessible
Parking
Restrooms
Exhibitions
Museum Events
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