Behalt Museum

Ohio History

The Mural

Our next stop will be on the other side of town, a few miles north of Berlin: the Amish and Mennonite Heritage Museum. Contrary to its somewhat boring name, this museum showcases an amazing piece of artwork. The Behalt Cyclorama, measuring a full 265 feet long, preserves the heritage of the Amish and Mennonite peoples from the Reformation to today. This 10-foot-high circular mural derives its name from the German word behalt which means to keep or to remember. The door sign pictured above did not prepare us for what we saw as we entered the museum.

Guggisberg Cheese

Ohio History

Charm Chalet

Does this quaint structure look like it came from a Swiss fairytale? In fact, it did--the famous cheesemaker who built it, Alfred Guggisberg, was born in Switzerland. After perfecting his cheesemaking skills in Europe, he immigrated to the US and set up the Guggisberg Cheese factory in 1950. Its location in the rolling hills of Holmes County, between Charm and Berlin, was ideally close to fresh milk from Amish farms. In 1968 Guggisberg produced its first Baby Swiss Cheese, and, well, the rest is history.

Entrance . . . Hole?

Chalet in the Valley, just across the road from Guggisberg Cheese, was added in 1983. Styled after a Swiss Chalet, both inside and out, this restaurant features authentic Swiss and Austrian Cuisines. On our way in we passed this Entrance sign next to an archway no more than two feet high. Made me wonder, just what goes in this hole?

Amish Country

Ohio History

Winter Buggies

When I say, 'Holmes County, Ohio,' two words probably flash into your mind (if you are familiar with that area, that is): Amish country. While certainly true--Holmes County does have the largest population of Amish people in Ohio and some claim in the country--there is so much more. As in any area of Ohio, Holmes County has a rich history. There are plenty of places to be visited and things to be seen, so let's get on our way to north eastern Ohio!



Amish Country Autumn

But, that said, it doesn't hurt to snap a few pictures of those passing buggies along the way (or rather the ones we pass).

Walnut Creek Cheese Hitching Rack