Pioneer Settlement to Open August 22nd at Sauder Village

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Pioneer Settlement to Open August 22nd at Sauder Village

Archbold, OH – Historic Sauder Village is bustling with excitement as opening day for Pioneer Settlement draws near. The construction and grounds crew are putting finishing touches on the landscaping and historic buildings, staff training has been completed, educational lectures are scheduled and plans are in place for the Grand Opening celebration on August 22nd.

“We’re so pleased to see all of our hard work and planning come together,” shared Kris Jemmott, Director of Historic Village Operations. “Guests will see how our history has progressed as they walk through our Historic Timeline from Natives and Newcomers (1803-1839) to the next era of life in Northwest Ohio, our brand new Pioneer Settlement (1834-1890). We are thrilled that opening day is drawing near!”

Pioneer Settlement is a nearly 5-acre expansion to Sauder Village that will share the personal stories of the early pioneers who came to the Great Black Swamp from Europe, forged a life and founded a community in what was Ohio’s last wilderness. Guests will step into the daily lives of the pioneers as they visit historic homes, community buildings, farms and gardens. Visitors will be able to smell the foods cooking, experience historic farming demonstrations and try hands-on activities. While visiting Pioneer Settlement, guests will connect with the past at places like the Lauber Hill Settlement, Log School House, Witmer-Roth Home and the Eicher Cabin. Other historic buildings in this new area include the Jail, Peter Stuckey Farm, Holdeman Church and a new Train Stop.

“The opening of Pioneer Settlement is happening at a time when our country is facing many challenges not unlike those experienced by our ancestors,” shared Jeanette Smith, Director of Marketing. “Guests to Pioneer Settlement will hear about our ancestors who worked together through tough times to build a community in the wilderness based on ingenuity, creativity, hard work and perseverance. As guests hear stories of their journey, their struggles and their joys they’ll be inspired with the messages of hope as they learn how these early settlers not only survived but thrived!”

The historic homes, farms and community buildings at Pioneer Settlement will allow guests to experience life in Ohio from 1834 until 1890. Throughout the fall there will be a rotation of demonstrations including farming with oxen, gardening, spinning, rug hooking and more. Guests will also have the chance to try hands-on activities like candle dipping, rope making, old-fashioned games, hauling water with a neck yoke, walking the fields with a harrow, gardening, spell downs and more!


The Grand Opening of Pioneer Settlement will be on Saturday, August 22 at 10:00 a.m. - coinciding with the 175th anniversary of the arrival of the first settlers at Lauber Hill on August 22, 1834. Folk singer and storyteller Bob Ford will be at the Village to provide music for this special day. Tom Lauber, author of “The Laubers: A Journey of Faith,” will also be at the Village to sign his book from 2:00-3:00 p.m. A special evening lecture is planned on Friday, August 21st as part of the weekend celebration. This free lecture will be held at 7:30 p.m. at Sauder Heritage Inn. Steven Charter, Head University Archivist from the Center for Archival collections at Bowling Green State University, will present “Coming to America: A Land of Opportunity.” Mr. Charter will speak about the early 19th century immigrants who came to Northwest Ohio.

Additional lectures in the series will be held on September 21 and October 20. On Monday, September 21st Hank Fincken, a professional historical actor, will engage the audience with a first person portrayal of John Chapman, a.k.a. Johnny Appleseed. Young and old alike will enjoy meeting Johnny and learning of his importance to the early settlement of this region. The final lecture in the series “Pioneer Women: Heroines in Aprons” will be held on Tuesday, October 20th. Ann Bowers, National Student Affairs Archivist at Bowling Green State University and women's history researcher, will speak about the experiences of the early women settlers in Northwest Ohio. This special lecture series is free and open to the public thanks to funding provided by Mennonite Mutual Aid and the Ohio Humanities Council, a state affiliate of the National Endowment of the Humanities.

Historic Sauder Village is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and each Sunday afternoon from 12:00-4:00 p.m. The Village is closed on Mondays, except holidays. Historic Village admission is $12.50 for adults and $6.50 for students ages 6-16. Children 5 and under are always free with family and discounts are available for seniors and AAA members. Every Sunday this season children 16 and under receive free admission to the Historic Village. For more information about Pioneer Settlement or any of the special events planned yet this fall call 800-590-9755 or visit the website at www.saudervillage