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Tag Archives: teepee

Making Friends with the Early Ohio Settlers at Sauder Village, Part 2

31 October 202314 May 2025

I spent the morning visiting the historical buildings located on the Village Green and those in the outer perimeter. The structures built in the early 20th century include the 1920’s Grime Homestead, Building 19 on the Complex Map.  This has been such a fabulous, educational experience learning about the history of each of the buildings as well as exploring the items that are inside relating to the type of building, shop or museum.  I hope you have had the opportunity to read Part 1 of my Sauder Village blog to put this amazing complex in perspective and to understand Sauder Village’s beginnings.

Celebrating forty years as Ohio’s Largest Living History Destination, the Village is an amazing replica of a small town dating between the years 1803 to the 1920s.  From the Natives and Newcomers Exhibit to the Pioneer Settlement there are close to forty buildings that will give you a glimpse of a time in US history with abundant growth and change.

1

The 1920s Grime Homestead looks practically like any other farm house that one would see in Ohio. A beautiful representation of our country’s “Modern Era”, this home is very similar to those we would see today without many of the technological advancements.

2

Friendly costumed guides are staged throughout the structures, replicating the activities of daily life at this time.  Inventions, such as the gas range reduced the amount of time to prepare family meals.  Our guide explained the process of gathering the ingredients of the meal using items the farm such as flour and eggs.  Using the appliances and kitchen gadgets from that era, she explained the steps to ready her meal and offered samples of the pie she had prepared in advance.

3

The dining room, located off of the kitchen also served as a casual family room.  Furniture included a table and chairs, a couch, phonograph and radio as well as wall decorations.    Unlike the prevous rooms,  this floor was carpeted.  I learned that carpeting symbolized the wealth of a family, able to afford some of the nicer things in life and were considered well-off financially.

4

Entering the parlor, I was immediately drawn to the upright player piano reminiscent of the one I had as a child.  This space in the house was set aside for entertaining guests and housed the more delicate possessions of the family, such as expensive furniture and family heirlooms.

5

The master bedroom, typical of one that you would find in the 1920s, was simple yet functional.  The women loved vanities and dressing tables with benches.   During this era, it was not uncommon to find furniture made out of veneer to help reduce the cost.

6

Downstairs, the large cellar served as a pantry and cooler for storing meat and milk.  Because grocery stores were not as readily accessible in the 1920s, the lady of the house would can fruits and vegetables then place them on shelves until she was ready to use them.

7

The cellar also housed the laundry for cleaning of the clothes, hanging them out to dry and then ironing them on a regular basis.

8

Exiting the cellar into the outdoors was a garden, storage shed and outhouse.  A garden’s size was based on the number of family members in the home as the produce was used to feed the family.

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Before reaching the festival barn, I passed the garage that held the tractor.  This was the first motorized vehicle on the property.  I was so excited to see all of the farm animals and spent most of my time in this part of the village.

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There are horses….

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Cows….

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Pigs…

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Turkeys…

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and chickens…but my favorite of all of the animals was…..

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the baby lambs!

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The Festival Barn is used strictly for entertainment purposes only holding special events, picnics and group lunches for visitors.

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Over the bridge I arrived at Brush Creek Pottery where I found Mark Nafziger, the resident potter creating a bowl.  With so many types of pottery on display,  I browsed through the flower pots, vases, plates and decorative items exploring all of their designs and shapes.

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Building 22 is a storage shed for employees only, but I can’t wait to visit the next building…the Ice Cream Parlor.  A perfect time for a break, I ordered a single, hand-dipped ice cream in cookie dough on a sugar cone, super creamy and delicious.

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Barbara’s Weaving Shop was closed, but on days that it is open, weavers use the barn’s frame loom to create beautiful items out of both threads and rags.

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The water-powered grist mill at Sauder Village is one of the few that remain in the state of Ohio today.  The process for producing corn meal is actually quite interesting.   As the water is released from its source, it rushes over the wheel, turning the millstones inside to produce corn meal.

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What fascinates me about this exhibit is that there are so many products that can be turned into flour or meal.  An in-depth information sheet outlines how the mill works and the  interactive display describes what is needed to ensure the mill runs smoothly.

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I purchased a bag of fresh corn meal to compare the fresh meal with a box for making homemade cornbread.

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About a minute walk from the Grist Mil is the Erie Express.  I decided to board the 15 minute train ride along the north end of the park where I will see glimpses of the Natives and Newcomers as well as the Pioneer Settlement.  The train ride costs $2 for the multiple rides throughout the day.

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Once I disembarked the train and walked the short trip to the Natives and Newcomers exhibit.  Covering the period between 1803 and 1839, I learn more about the pioneers who settled this region known as the Black Swamp area.

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The Native American’s housing is surprisingly different than the teepee structures that I have seen in reading materials and during some of my travels out west.  It seems so large and more rectangular in shape.

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The wigwam was much larger than I had anticipated, but it was used to house two families here.   In the center there was a partition that separatee each family, providing a little privacy.

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During the time that these structures were built, the settlers and the natives were already developing a trading relationship in places that were called trading posts.

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One of the more important items that settlers needed during the cold weather were animal pelts. Other items important for trade included pottery, guns, tobacco, whiskey and other items that were of interest to the trading parties.

From here, the walking path leads to the Pioneer Settlement that covers the years 1834  – 1890 when the Lauber family first arrived to this area.  I am looking forward to reading more about the early settlers of the Black Swamp and to explore more of the personal lives of the residents of Fulton County.  This part of my tour will be covered in Part 3 of my blog.

Have you had the opportunity to visit Sauder Village?  What was your favorite sight or activity while you were here?  I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below!  Many Thanks for reading about my visit to Sauder Village and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Sauder Village Living History and Farm
221611  OH-2
Archbold, OH  43502
Telephone:  419 446 2541

  • Admission Fee:  Adults:  $24;  Students, Ages 4 – 16: $18;  Children, Ages 3 and under: Free; Seniors 60 and over:  $22.   person is permitted.   2-day Admission:  Adults, $38; Students, Ages 4 – 16:  $26;  Valid for 2 consecutive days, non-transferable.  AAA Discount: $2
  • Hours:  Spring (May 3 – 27):  Open Wednesday to Saturday from 10AM to 3:30PM;  Saturday 10AM to 4PM; Summer (May 31 – September 2): Open Wednesday to Saturday from 10AM to 5PM and Closed Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.  Fall Hours (September 6 – October 8); Open Wednesday to Friday from 10AM to 3:30PM  and Closed Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.
  • Length of the Tour:  From 2 hours to 2 days.
  • Tips for Your Visit:  Wear comfortable shoes as you walk through time visiting historical buildings.  Download the map ahead of time and plan your day.   There are several classes and demonstrations that you won’t want to miss.  While there are several small shops to visit, make plans to eat at the Barn Restaurant for down-home cooking.

Where to Stay:

Sauder Heritage Inn
22611 State Route 2
PO Box 235
Archbold, OH 43502
Telephone:  800 590 9755

If you are traveling by RV, make reservations at the Sauder Village Campground.

Where to Eat:

The Barn Restaurant
22611 State Route 2
PO Box 235
Archbold, OH 43502
Telephone:  800 590 9755

Select the buffet or order from the menu loaded with down-home recipes.

What to Eat:

  • Meatloaf with Mashed Potatoes
  • Soups and Salads
  • Fried Chicken
  • Roat Beef Dinners

What to Read:

  • Heritage of the Black Swamp, by Cynthia Covert Harger

Photo Guide to Sauder Village

  • Visit Sauder Village in the spring for newborn baby animals
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Indian Bear Winery in Walhonding, Ohio, NOW INDIAN BEAR CORK AND COFFEE

25 June 201616 March 2025

Update:  The Indian Bear Winery is now Indian Bear Cork and Coffee

Update:  On June 4th, 2023, a fire broke out at Indian Bear Winery and the structure was destroyed by the fire. 

Update:  On September 20, 2022, Indian Bear Lodge & Winery announced that they were under contract to sell 97 acres to “Because I Said I Would”, a non-profit organization making an impact on the local youth. 

Indian Bear Winery is one of the most beautiful locations to sample wines in Ohio.  A beautiful, country setting on two-hundred plus acres is only an hour east of Columbus and began as lodge in 2001.

From the moment I pulled onto the gravel drive, my senses were on full alert.  The smell of fresh cut grass led me to sprawling acres and a lake where a teepee stood at its water’s edge.

It was early spring so the vineyards were just beginning to bloom and would be ready for harvest in the fall.  Trellises supported a wide range of wine varietals, including those from Ohio.

In the summer of 2014, the owners, Brad Collins and Tom Lechner planted Concord, Seyval and Vidal grapes.  Until the vines began producing fruit, the owners imported juices from California, Chile and New York to begin their wine making process.  Head winemaker, Joe Hollabaugh will be creating new wines for the winery.

Approaching the entrance into the winery, I couldn’t help but notice its beautiful red and gray exterior.  The building was completed by April 2015 and soon thereafter, was open to the public.   The winery entered the 2015 Finger Lakes International Wine Competition and won a Gold Medal for their “Roscoe’s Red Blend” as well as a Bronze Medal for their Vidal Blanc.

The tasting room was even more extravagant with its rustic, architecture and country decor displayed in its large exposed beams and expansive stone flooring. The hand-written list of available wines in addition to their wine tasting costs were posted above the service area.

I completed the laminated menu and decided on the 3 for $5 samples selecting the Peach Apricot Crush, American Vidal Blanc and the American Carmenere Reserve.

At the last minute, I included the Red Berry Crush slushie which tasted like heaven.

With my slushie in hand, I took the stairs to explore the areas available for private and semi-private events.  On-site lodges provide accommodations for guests who wish to stay at the property.   There are also two carriage houses and four cabins to sleep a total of more than 100 guests.   From the second story deck, I could look out for miles into the countryside.

My favorite part of the decor were the oak barrels that are typically used for fermenting and storage.

Returning to the first level of the winery, I was in complete awe of the spectacular stone handiwork of the fireplace flanked by two storage compartments for firewood.  I reached out to touch the smoothly sanded wood planks for the mantle which were designed from beams from a local area barn.

In addition to the interior, Indian Bear Winery has several outdoor settings including a fire pit.   I found a stone bench to finish up my drink and could hear the visitors as they discussed their weekend plans.  As I enjoyed the beauty of Indian Bear Winery, I could also hear the large tractor approaching as it mowed the high blades near the tasting room and I could once again smell the scent of freshly cut grass.

Have you visited Indian Bear Winery?  What wines did you enjoy?  I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.  Many thanks for reading about my visit to Indian Bear Winery along the Three Rivers Wine Trail and wishing you many Happy Travels.

What to See and What to Do:

Indian Bear Winery
3483 McCament Road
Walhonding, Ohio  43843
Telephone:  740 507 3322

Open Fridays from 3:00pm to 10:00pm and Saturdays from 12:00pm to 10:00pm.

Where to Stay: 

Indian Bear Winery
3483 McCament Road
Walhonding, Ohio  43843
Telephone:  740 507 3322

Where to Eat: 

Indian Bear Winery
3483 McCament Road
Walhonding, Ohio  43843
Telephone:  740 507 3322

Open Fridays from 3:00pm to 10:00pm and Saturdays from 12:00pm to 10:00pm.

For appetizers, they make a gorgeous charcuterie board, fittingly called, “The Napa.” A popular choice on the menu is Alfredo Chips- homemade kettle chips topped with alfredo sauce, blue cheese and green onions.

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I have had a passion to travel for as long as I can remember and landed my dream job at the age of 19 on a cruise ship. The Suite Life of Travel is about those experiences as well as my future endeavor to explore this amazing world!

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