“Venoge Farmstead” State Historical Marker

To Be Dedicated in Vevay

A new Indiana state historical marker commemorating Venoge Farmstead will be dedicated on Saturday, October 11. The public is invited to attend the dedication ceremony, which will take place at the Musée de Venoge, located at 4085 IN-129 in Vevay, at 3 p.m. ET. The dedication is part of larger programming that day that runs from 1 to 6 p.m., including music, exhibits, speakers, children’s activities, and more. Parking is available on site.

The new historical marker examines the development of the wine industry in southern Indiana and the contributions of Swiss immigrants to the state. It was sponsored by the Musée de Venoge, Switzerland County Tourism, and the William G. Pomeroy Foundation.

The text follows for the state marker entitled “Venoge Farmstead:”

French-speaking Swiss immigrant Jean Jacques Dufour came to the United States in 1796 to establish a commercial vineyard. In 1802, he received a 2,500-acre land grant from Congress to cultivate grapes in this region. Swiss immigrants joined him in settling the area which they called “New Switzerland.” Vintner Louis Gex Oboussier owned this parcel of land by 1805. By 1812, wine from “New Switzerland” gained national renown. Oboussier’s brother-in-law, Jacob Weaver, and his wife Charlotte, bought the land from him by 1815, and settled here in 1828. Weaver established a farmstead, ferry, and carding mill. By the 1830s, regional winemaking declined. Musée de Venoge began preserving the site and history of the Swiss vintners in 1995.

State historical markers commemorate significant individuals, organizations, places, and events in Indiana history. These markers help communities throughout the state promote, preserve, and present their history for the education and enjoyment of residents and tourists of all ages. For over 100 years, the Indiana Historical Bureau, a division of the Indiana State Library, has been marking Indiana history. Since 1946, the marker format has been the large roadside marker, which has the familiar dark blue background with gold lettering and the outline of the state of Indiana at the top. Over 750 of these markers have been installed over the years. The marker is the sixth marker to be installed in Switzerland County and the third in the last three years. For a listing of all markers in Switzerland County and statewide, click here.

For more information about the Indiana Historical Marker Program, including details on this marker, a listing of other markers in the state, or other resources about Indiana history, visit the Indiana Historical Bureau’s website at http://www.IN.gov/history or call 317-232-2537. For more information on the dedication, contact marker applicant Donna Weaver at [email protected].