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Friends of the Chrisholm Fund: Preserving History
The Friends of Chrisholm Historic Farmstead established an organizational endowment fund at the Foundation in 2014. The fund was started in conjunction with the 20th Anniversary of the founding of the Friends of Chrisholm Historic Farmstead nonprofit organization and the 200th Anniversary of the arrival of the Amish to Butler County.
Located south of Trenton on Woodsdale Road, the Chrisholm Farmstead is owned by Butler County MetroParks. The home was originally owned by Samuel Augspurger, the second generation of a family who came here in the early 1800’s from Alsace, Germany. Fire destroyed the original home but it was rebuilt right over the first foundation. Samuel and his wife raised five children in the house and farmed the land, also opening the home to welcome later settlers here from Germany.
“We established the fund at the Hamilton Community Foundation to ensure the future success of our mission,” says Anne Jantzen of the Friends board. She said the board had been discussing establishing such a fund for several years. They see themselves as stewards of the historical site with a responsibility for its future financial security. As the endowment grows, she says, its earnings can be used for restoring, preserving, and gifting the Chrisholm Historic Farmstead to the families of Southwest Ohio and future generations.
The Chrisholm Farmstead stands as living reminder of our rich Amish Mennonite and agricultural heritage, Janzten added. The hope is that future generations will be even more fascinated with the stories told at the Chrisholm Farm, the Augspurgers and other immigrant families, and the Amish Mennonite community. The grounds on the property are open to the public daily from sunrise to sunset.