17th Sonnenberg Village Homecoming to feature Tschantzes

The United States is truly a melting pot of cultures and ethnicities from around the world. Wherever you or your ancestors arrived from and why is an important part of your history and can help you as you interact with others who also have been in the United States for a long time or with people who have arrived more recently to the country.

On Aug. 9-11, the 17th annual Sonnenberg Village Homecoming will focus on the Tschantz family, who arrived 200 years ago from Switzerland in 1824.

In 1824 the Tschantzes arrived from Switzerland as two couples: Johannes and Anna Tschantz, with their son Abraham and his wife Anna. The Tschantz Cabin, which sits on their original farm in Sonnenberg Village, will be open with many new historical items and documents on display including the passports used by the couple and Abraham’s parents in 1824.

Descendants and family members of the Tschantz family can gather in the Gerber/Nussbaum barn on Aug. 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for fellowship and a reunion and are encouraged to bring family memorabilia for display. Tables will be provided.

David Tschantz, a descendant of the original settlers, said he had been giving tours of the Tschantz cabin when his wife Ann realized the 200th anniversary milestone was coming up and suggested it be celebrated. After discussing the idea with the Kidron Community Historical Society, the idea to combine the annual Sonnenberg Homecoming with the anniversary was formed.

To help people get an idea of what the Tschantz family’s journey to the new land and settling was like, “The Promised Land,” a play about their immigration, will be dramatized on Friday at 7 p.m., on Saturday at 4 p.m. and on Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $5 per person, with children age 5 and under free. Families of five can purchase a package for $20. Tickets can be reserved by calling Sharon at 330-466-7439.

Sonnenberg Village will be open Saturday, Aug. 10 at 10 a.m. with free events that will be held rain or shine including artisans, heritage businesses, genealogy lookups and a Tschantz history video, and all historical buildings will be open. Heritage artisans will demonstrate their skills in the art of blacksmithing, the printing press, weaving and a land organ, and there will be presentations from companies that share common ancestry: Kidron Electric, Schantz Organ Company, Will-Burt and Lehman’s Hardware.

At 11 a.m. food trucks will be available. Sonnenberg Church’s barbecued ham sandwiches, Schloneger’s Homemade Ice Cream, and Tommy’s Classic American Food Truck with hamburgers, hot dogs and French fries can be eaten in a tented seating area.

Wagon rides also will start at 11 a.m. to Sonnenberg Cemetery, and at 1 p.m. the Orrville Community Band will perform in the barn.

After the afternoon play, evening entertainment will start at 7 p.m. with the band Honeytown performing in the barn. Honeytown, based out of Kidron, plays pure acoustic music. The band’s musical mix of original compositions, unexpected arrangements and more blends folk Americana, rock ‘n’ roll and progressive bluegrass.

At 9:30 p.m. the village will close for the night, and people are welcome to come back on Sunday at 2 p.m. to watch the play.

“While this is an opportunity to learn about the legacy of these remarkable pioneers, which still echoes here and far beyond, it is meant most of all as a testimony to the providence of almighty God, who brought them here safely and blessed them and their posterity,” David Tschantz said.

The Kidron Community Historical Society is located in the village of Kidron. Members collect, research, preserve and display the available historical material including relics, documents and books, connected with the history of the Kidron-Sonnenberg area of Ohio. They maintain the Heritage Center in downtown Kidron and also Sonnenberg Village, located on 5 acres just north of Kidron at 13497 Hackett Road in Apple Creek. For more information visit www.sonnenbergvillagehomecoming.com.