July 2, 2025, Press Release from the Bluffton-Pandora Swiss Community Historical Society:
BLUFFTON, Ohio - On Saturday, July 12, the Bluffton-Pandora Swiss Community Historical Society will host the second of this summer’s Second Saturday events. Visitors are invited from 1-4 p.m. at the Schumacher Homestead, 8350 Bixel Road, Bluffton.
For this event there will be several displays related to hunting and trapping in this area during the second half of the 19thcentury. At that time these activities were basic survival skills, as settlers depended in part on wild animals for food and clothing.
Tom McCullough of rural Pandora has been collecting locally made period traps and rifles for 40 years. His display will include items made by Bishop John Moser, well known gunsmith for the local Swiss Settlement in the late 1800s.
On hand will be Mark Brumbaugh, conservationist from rural Rawson. He is known as a living history presenter with his collection of old muzzle loaders and traps. He will also display animal furs which visitors may handle.
Jeff Hashbarger of rural Pandora will also display old trap baskets and wooden fur stretchers. He continues to trap with his grandsons.
As always during Second Saturdays, visitors may tour the Schumacher Homestead, including the 1843 house, the garden, summer kitchen, and workshop. Admission is $5, with SCHS members and those 16 and younger admitted at no cost.
