Switzerland County Museum: Vevay, Indiana

Switzerland County Museum: Vevay, Indiana


Prepare to be wowed by the Switzerland County Museum in Vevay, Indiana.

One of Indiana’s oldest historical societies (it was formed in 1925), the Switzerland County museum is a well-organized, well-preserved, and extensive look into the past!

Switzerland County Museum in Vevay, Indiana

We noticed the cute little building as we drove around Vevay. When we finally had a moment to stop in, we couldn’t believe how big it was–and that the Switzerland County Museum was housed in two buildings!

What’s particularly neat about this Indiana town museum is that one of the buildings is a Presbyterian Church–and part of the museum has been housed inside since 1970.

When I say church, I mean it! After browsing through the lower level of Vevay artifacts, you’ll climb up the stairs, walk past the working rope for the church bell, and head into the sanctuary–which hasn’t changed a bit since 1970.

The 1860 church was donated to the historical society with the stipulation that they do not alter the sanctuary which includes the gorgeous colorful glass windows! It’s a peek into the past that I haven’t seen before.

Vevay, Indiana County Museum

Switzerland County Museum: Vevay, Indiana

Switzerland County Museum: Vevay, Indiana


Now as to the artifacts, the Switzerland County Museum certainly has plenty! From shelving out of a post office to a mastadon tusk, old farm tools and housekeeping items, to an incredible quilt that detailed the names of county residents perhaps of a particular church–all 313 of them, it’s just incredible and apparently a bit of a mystery.

The other building, the old parsonage, is the Life on the River Ohio River Museum. It’s wonderful!

There are gleaming glass cases of these highly detailed steamboat models created by a resident of Switzerland County many decades ago. Our boys were impressed–and so were we.

It’s an informative and entertaining look at the river when steamboats, flatboats, and towboats ruled. For a town that is thought to have had as many as 18 steamboat stops, you can see why it’s kind of a big deal!

Go There

Switzerland County Museum in Vevay, Indiana

Switzerland County Museum in Vevay, Indiana


Both of our boys loved both part of this museum! Kid #1 rang the bell and loved browsing through the collection of fossils, old tools, and the steamboat models while Kid #2 didn’t know what to think but sure grinned the whole time.

There is history and legend all around you? Visit the Switzerland County Museum for an amazing look back at this important period of Indiana history.

Small Towns: Destinations, not Drive-Thrus! I’m Jessica Nunemaker and THIS is little Indiana!

Find pictures in Indiana on my Flickr photostream or on the new little Indiana Tumblr blog.

Just don’t forget to tell ’em that  little Indiana sent you!

Switzerland County Museum
208 East Market Street
Vevay, Indiana 47043
812.427.3560

View Larger Map

Don’t miss a moment. Subscribe to little Indiana and receive instant updates to stay on top of everything “little.”

little Indiana: Where to Stay, Play, and Eat in Small Towns in Indiana. Discovering Indiana’s best small towns! Now get little Indiana on your Kindle.

Targeted. Relevant. Affordable! little Indiana advertising.