Events at Chrisholm Historic Farmstead

Chrisholm Metro Park - Open Every Day 8AM to Dusk

Walk the grounds around the barns and farmstead, explore the nature playscape, learn form the interpretive signage, visit with farm animals.

View a schedule of Chrisholm Metro Parks sponsored Programs/Events including the Discover on the Farm series.

Friends of Chrisholm Sponsored Events/Programs for 2024

Open House Tours - Chrisholm Farmstead

Apr through Sep, 3rd Saturday of the month, 1-3pm
Sat, Apr 20, 2024
Sat, May 18, 2024
Sat, Jun 15, 2024 (open 2-3 pm after completion of earlier scheduled event)
Sat, Jul 20, 2024
Sat, Aug 17, 2024
Sat, Sep 21, 2024 (Combined with Cellar and Barn Tour event)

Roll Out the Pie Crust Workshop

Who doesn't love pies? Fun, hands-on program led by Butler County First Prize Pie Baker Carmon Hacker of Friends of Chrisholm who will demonstrate how to make the classic roll-out pie crust. By following a simple process, you can successfully achieve this feat without tears in the pastry and fix them if they do happen.

All participants should bring a 9-inch pie pan, preferably glass and a rolling pin, if possible. After learning how to make this crust, you can create any one-crust or two-crust pie that your imagination desires! $5/participant Ages 16+ unless accompanied by an adult.

Sat, February 24, 1:00 - 3:00 pm (Pre-registration required at https://www.yourmetroparks.net/ under the Events tab)

Spring Vine Gardening

Fast growing vines can add a lot of color and structure to your pots and gardens. Join Ginny Hertenstein, a Butler County Master Gardener, at the Chrisholm shelter to learn which vines grow well in our area. She will show us how to collect branches found locally to make a trellis in a pot. All supplies will be offered to complete your project to take home. After the program, visit with the Friends of Chrisholm inside the beautiful Augspurger House during our regularly scheduled Open House event occurring 1pm-3pm.

Sat, May 18, 1:00 – 2:00 pm (Pre-registration required at https://www.yourmetroparks.net/ under the Events tab)

107th Augspurger Reunion/Friends of Chrisholm Annual Meeting

This event is open to all Augspurger descendants, historical Butler County Amish Mennonite community descendants, members of Friends of Chrisholm, and those interested in learning more about the FOC organization.

FOC will provide an update on current activities including progress with our “Save Our Cellar” fundraiser followed by a walkthrough of the cellar at Chrisholm.

Our guest speaker, Fred Iutzi of Bloomington, IL, is an agronomist interested in long-term sustainability for agriculture and communities. He is a descendant of our historical Amish Mennonite community and will deliver a talk titled “Perennial Lessons from the Past For Agriculture of the Future”.

Event includes luncheon - $15 per person.

Sat, June 15, 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM (Sign In opens – 10:45 AM)

Pre-registration required through this website – under Donate tab, fill out the form, mark Special Event. add Note indicating Annual Event (note also number of attendees if more than one), include $15 x number of attendees in Donation Amount, Select Payment method and Finalize

Making Some Christmas in July

By July, we are often ready to be finished with summer and think about the seasons to come. If you feel that way and you like to craft, come join Becky Simpson of Friends of Chrisholm at Chrisholm Farmstead to make some holiday ornaments. Get a head start on your holiday crafting and remember that cooler days are ahead.

This program is open to those 16+ unless accompanied by an adult.

Sat, July 13, 1:00 – 3:00 pm (Pre-registration required at https://www.yourmetroparks.net/ under the Events tab)

Cellar and Barn Tour

Come join us for this rare opportunity to view the cellar of Chrisholm with its vaulted ceiling sub-cellar, thought to be the only existing one of its kind in Butler County. In addition, we will view the historic bank barn. The event will feature a short kickoff talk on the functional role of cellars on historical farmsteads and the bank barn. As staggered groups visit the cellar and barn after, the house will remain open for viewing as well. From the various exhibits, learn about the connection of Chrisholm to the leader of the first group of Amish families to settle in Butler County in 1819, the growth of this once-flourishing settlement, and its evolution through the 1800’s. Please note for your planning, the outdoor stairway entrance to the cellar is not modified for wheelchair access.

Sat, September 21, 1:00 – 3:00 pm (Pre-registration required at https://www.yourmetroparks.net/ under the Events tab)

Yes, It’s True! A Thriving Amish Community Once Existed in Butler County

Come to learn about our historic 19th century Amish community. Jeff Lehman, of Friends of Chrisholm and descendant of four of the community families, will present a talk on the origins of the community, it’s connection to Chrisholm historic farmstead, it’s growth, internal conflict, and eventual loss of Amish affiliation. The Chrisholm house will be open for viewing following the talk.

We are especially encouraging longtime multi-generational local area residents with connections in their family history to the following Butler County Amish surnames to attend:

Augspurger
Belsley
Bender
Birkey (Burcky)
Brenneman
Conrad
Ehrisman (Ehresman)
Engel
Forster
Gerber
Gingerich
Goldschmidt (Goldsmith)
Gunden
Guth
Holly
Imhof
Iutzi (Yutzy)(Jutzy)
Kennel
King
Kinsinger
Litwiller
Meyer
Miller
Mosiman
Nafzinger
Oesch
Ohrendorf
Oswald
Otto
Peterschmidt
Raber
Ramseyer
Reeser
Ringenberg
Roth
Rupp
Salzman
Schlabach
Schlatter
Schlick
Schrag
Schrock
Schweitzer
Slonecker
Sommer (Summer)
Springer
Steinman
Stuckey
Ulrich
Unzicker
Wagler
Werkler
Yoder
Zimmerman


Sat, November 9, 1:00 – 3:00 pm (Pre-registration required at https://www.yourmetroparks.net/ under the Events tab)

For Information about Current Events:

Email [email protected] to be on our e-mail list, and/or find us on our Friends of Chrisholm Facebook Page.


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