BLUFFTON, OH (WLIO) - On Saturday, the Swiss Community Historical Society taught the public about an art form that dates back to the 16th century.
Scherenschnitte, which means "scissor cutting" in German, is a tradition that was brought to the United States by Swiss and German settlers.
Scherenschnitte, which means "scissor cutting" in German, is a tradition that was brought to the United States by Swiss and German settlers. After touring the historic Schumacher Homestead and its outbuildings, visitors got to see some preserved examples made by area residents in the 1800's, and with the help of a local expert, they made their own paper art. It's a lot like cutting paper snowflakes, but with a lot more effort put into patterns and a lot more uses for the finished work.
"They used them to decorate marriage documents, deeds; sometimes they would even cut long strips and decorate it and use it to decorate the edges of their china cupboards," explained Gary Wetherill, the president of the Swiss Community Historical Society.
The historic Schumacher Homestead will hold another open house on August 10th from 1 to 4 p.m. Volunteers will be teaching guests about the period accurate gardens on the property.
The historic Schumacher Homestead will hold another open house on August 10th from 1 to 4 p.m. Volunteers will be teaching guests about the period accurate gardens on the property.
