Vevay Indiana – Reasons You’ll Love Visiting This Little Town

Vevay, Indiana

Vevay, Indiana is one of those towns that you love to visit.  Walking around Vevay is such a pleasure!  If you love crowded streets and having to fight traffic, this is probably not the place for you.  After fighting traffic on I-275 East and southbound I-75 because of construction, Vevay is definitely a pleasant respite.

Platted, or mapped out, in 1813, Vevay’s first immigrants were Swiss.  Their plan was to plant grapes and produce wine.  Switzerland County was formed in 1814 and Vevay became the county seat.  

My brother, Dave, and sister-in-law, Keri, who moved here recently, introduced us to this small town Friday evening.  Unfortunately, we were busy the first Friday this month but they told us about this event Vevay has every month.  On the first Friday of each month, you can expect music, games, shopping, and dining.  This event is every month, even the winter months.  Each month the event has a different theme.  For more about Vevay Main Street, check out their Facebook Page ◄here.

Although we are planning to make it on the first Friday of September, we hope to go to the Swiss Wine Festival, which is coming up in less than two weeks.

The Swiss Wine Festival, Vevay, Indiana

The Swiss Wine Festival is August 22-25 this year.  Dave and I attended the festival a few years ago.  This four-day event is located at the Paul Ogle Riverfront Park in downtown Vevay.  You can find out more about 2019 events in this little town here.►Switzerland County Events.

The festival features Ohio River ferry boat rides, amusement rides, music, craft booths, wine and beer gardens, and a grape stomp.

 

Check out the lineup for the Friday night free concert ◄here.  If you love country music, you will love the concert this year!

 

Switzerland County Museum, Vevay

Life on the River Ohio River Museum

The Switzerland County Museum was formed in 1925.  The building at 210 East Main Street is actually an old Presbyterian church which was built in 1860.  We found brother Dave’s friend, Peggy, in what was at one time the old parsonage.  The parsonage now houses, “Life on the Ohio River History Museum.”

This museum features steamboats, flatboats, and towboats that were all critical to life in this little river town.  Highly detailed steamboat models created by a local resident are on display here.  

 

This stunning model of the ‘City of Louisville Steamboat’ is a good example of the detail on these replicas.

 

 

 

 

Did You Know?

A printed card on the wall reads, “Did you know?”  It goes on to tell that the Titanic is not the worst maritime disaster in history.  The steam packet Sultana, which was headed north on the Mississippi River, sank in April of 1865 killing an estimated 1800 people.  1512 people are reported to have been killed on the Titanic.  

If you are as curious as I was about this, you can find out the story about the Sultana ◄here.

 

Switzerland County Historical Museum

Next door in the old church is the museum. The museum houses a mass of things related to the history of Switzerland County.   One of the first things that Martha pointed out was a hair wreath.  “What is that?”,  you might wonder.

 

Hair Wreath

A Victorian custom was making horseshoe-shaped wreaths from a deceased person’s hair.  The top of the horseshoe was left open to symbolize the departed’s ascent to heaven.  It was part of their mourning tradition.  The hair would be shaped, usually into a flower, and added to the center of the wreath.  When another family member died, that flower would be repositioned and that family member’s shaped hair flower would replace it.  Wreaths from multiple people—dead and alive—were more likely sentimental family trees.

 

Take a look at this! How intricate the details are.  This one even had a key of the family members.  Wow!  I had no idea that these even existed.  Did you?

 

Post Office Window

The old Post office window caught my eye.   I love the use of the patriotic shield.  Just imagine walking up to this little window, buying stamps, and handing over your mail to the postman.

 

 

 

 

Vintage Clothing

You can see vintage clothing on display next to a hanging quilt.  Check out the blue details on these outfits for a woman and a young girl.  

 

 

 

Indian Artifacts

A wooden and glass case displays a multitude of arrowheads and tools made by Native Americans.  Intricately beaded pieces on display in the case are just stunning.  

An elk antler sitting on top of the display case indicates how large the elk must have been.  Behind the antler, you can see coverlets by Thomas Cranston, a Scottish immigrant, and master weaver.  Almost all of his coverlets are blue and white double jacquards.  He also made a few crimson and white coverlets.  A lark encircled in a wreath is his trademark and is incorporated in the border of his coverlets.  Another trademark is the eagle.

The Farmstead Display

There are numerous displays in the museum just like this farmstead display.  Look at all the old tools!

For a small museum, you can’t believe how much there is to see and read about here.  I could go on but you need to visit and see what catches your eye!

 

 

 

Cardinal Quilts – 106 East Main Street, Vevay

If you love sewing, crafting, or quilting, you need to visit this fabric store!  They have an unbelievable amount of fabric here!  The cotton fabric is $5.00 per yard.  Yes, that is right, $5.00 per yard.  Want more information?  Check out their website ►CardinalQuilts&Fabrics.com.

Helen, who owns the shop, and Laverne, who both work here are wonderfully kind and helpful.  This little shop has a number of quilts on display as well as tons of fabric.  They offer quilts for sale, too.   They also offer long-arm quilting and quilt classes.

By the way, I did buy a little bit of fabric for an upcoming project…

 

Patron Grille Mexican Restaurant in Vevay Indiana

Located at 307 Ferry St #1103, Vevay, Indiana, Patron’s is a family-owned restaurant offering Mexican food.  The food here is really good and so is their Margarita!  The food portions are generous, the service is great, and the prices are very reasonable. I can personally tell you that the chicken chimichanga is really good.  You can’t go wrong here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Swiss Perks Coffee Shop in Vevay Indiana

 

Another place you need to visit here is the Swiss Perks Coffee Shop at 117 West Main Street.  I have it on good authority that this place serves up some good coffee and food.  Unfortunately, the shop closes at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.  The shop was closed when we were there.  They are closed Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday.

Cute cafe tables and chairs sit out in front of the store. You can find out more about this coffee shop on their Facebook Page◄.  Looks like they have some yummy desserts, too.

Local Artist

Dave and I were introduced to Martha’s husband, Bear and another couple, Tony and his wife, Peggy.  Tony and Peggy shared some wine with us and Bear shared some ceviche he had just made.  What a friendly and charming group of people live here.  We really enjoyed talking and sharing stories with them.  

If you walk around downtown Vevay, on one of the side streets, you might notice some of Tony’s metal sculptures in his yard.  He also has his paintings on display hung on the building outside and throughout their home.  This metal sculpture is my favorite.

 

 

 

Posts on other places in Indiana you should visit ►Kokomo Indiana  ►Lawrenceburg, Dillsboro, and Versailles Indiana  ►Madison Indiana  ►Indianapolis Children’s Museum  ►Southern Indiana.

 

Click ‘Follow’ for the newsletter below, or follow me on Facebook and Pinterest so you won’t miss anything!  Share this post with your friends!  It only takes a second…