Musee de Venoge

05/31/2026

MEET OUR MUSICIANS! PART 1
On Saturday June 20th from 6-9 PM Musee de venoge is sponsoring “Along the Banks of the Ohio” Music of the Indiana frontier. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased using this link. https://venoge.betterworld.org/events/along-banks-ohio-popular-music-i
To get you ready for this incredible evening of music, songs, storytelling, and plenty of historic libations we will be publishing brief biographies of the talented performers who will be gracing our stage.

Our first introduction is for Paul and Kim Caudell, known as the Traveling Caudells.
Paul and Kim Caudell (known as The Traveling Caudells) have been involved in living history since 1995. Over the last three decades, they've performed at historic sites and events all over the Southeast and beyond. Paul and Kim have a special interest in keeping the music of the past alive for modern audiences and teaching people what music was like before the age of amplification. They reside in Old Hickory, Tennessee with their dog, Teddy Blue Roosevelt, and will celebrate their 36th wedding anniversary in July.

05/25/2026

LET'S FINISH SPRING BEFORE WE START SUMMER!
And we have a great way to do just that! Traditionally Memorial Day marks the official beginning of the summer season. Technically June 21 is marked as the beginning. That means the last day of Spring is June 20!

You can mark the day and celebrate the end of Spring with Musee de Venoge! Mark your calendars now and join us for "Along the Banks of the Ohio" Popular music of the Indiana frontier!

From 6-9 pm on Saturday June 20, we are hosting an outdoor concert of these fantastic period musicians. Join Paul and Kim Caudell, Adin Pemberton, Michael Thompson and Mike Kruse as they take you down a tuneful cruise of the river that helped define early Indiana. This is a first of a kind event for Venoge. Why?

Our concert is outdoors!

Be sure and bring a lawn chair or spread a blanket. Tickets are $20 each. They are available in advance using the link found at the bottom of this post. Two historical libations are included with your ticket. Our period tavern, The Hayloft, will be set up inside our barn. Limited seating can be found there.

This promises to be a wonderful evening that you will long remember. "Along the Banks of the Ohio" is less than one month away. Don't let the flatboat cast off without you! Book your passage by purchasing your ticket today! Here's the link: https://venoge.betterworld.org/events/along-banks-ohio-popular-music-i

05/21/2026

MRS WEAVER RETURNS!
Yes, we know it's been a while since our dear lady has been plying her culinary artifices at the Venoge Hearth. We think you'll find the wait has been worth it. This wonderful recipe from 1802 solves the question of which came first: the broiler or the Salamander?

If you like macaroni, if you like cheese, then watch what happens when our dear lady combines both and finishes it off with a crusty brown topping of cheesy deliciousness!

Which came first the broiler or the salamander? You'll find out whe...

05/18/2026

THE TAVERN LIVES AGAIN!
Yesterday we filmed Episode 17 of our Tales from the Tavern series at Venoge. Yes we know the boys haven't been around much lately. Actually they haven't been seen since last year! Fear not. We are currently editing Episdoe16. Then the editing starts on this episode.

We hope this extended absence has made you grow fonder of your memories of our Eagle Tavern denizens. Since we have been gone so long we are calling the episode "Absinthe Makes the Heart Grow Fonder." Shouldn't that be "absence." Nope. It's absinthe; a popular drink in Switzerland County in the 1820's.

Here are some photos from yesterday's filming. Be of good cheer. Our absence won't be too much longer. To get ready, please subscribe to our YouTube Channel lest you experience absence from absinthe! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvc-26hd38quVTGfivkHBgw

Photo credits: Marco Lapenna, Lynn Carr, Donna Weaver

05/13/2026

This Tuesday was a special day at Venoge and the Thiebaud Farmstead. The fourth grade classes from Jeff-Craig came for a visit!
Erica Coulter took the classes to the Venoge Cottage and talked about what life might have been like for a child in the 1820's. Unfortunately, no cameras were around in the 1820's to capture the classes!

Meanwhile, Happy Smith introduced another group to a bit of local archaeology. She explained the principles and had them reassemble some shards deciding what they might have come from. A good and educational time was had by all.

05/04/2026

THE RIVER OHIO!
Is a beautiful river. It helped to shape the history of Indiana and our nation. You can musically journey down it as Musee de Venoge proudly announces another special program. We are celebrating the river and the popular music which was heard along its banks!

Make your plans now to join us Saturday, June 20 from 6 to 9 pm. for "Along the Banks of the Ohio: Popular music of the Indiana Frontier!” We mean 19th century popular music!

We have a full evening of music, merriment, history, stories and of course libations! Two historical drinks and summer refreshments are included in the price.

The concert will take place outdoors on the Venoge grounds. You can bring a lawn chair, a blanket or find table space inside the Hayloft Tavern located in our barn.

Our Concert features these excellent musical historians: The Traveling Caudell's, Adin Pemberton, Mike Kruse and Michael Thompson! If you have been to previous July Fourth programs, or watched our YouTube Series, Juleps, Songs and Jacob's Punch, you have been regaled by them before.

This is a ticketed event. Tickets are available through our on-line link. https://Venoge.betterworld.org/events/along-banks-ohio-popular-music-i

Get ready to load the flatboat, rosin the fiddle bow, and tune up your vocal chords! Along the Banks of The Ohio! Saturday June 20, from 6-9 pm, only at Musee de Venoge!

04/12/2026

NECESSITY IS THE MOTHER OF INVENTION!
Plato sure hit the nail on the head when he came up with this pearl of wisdom. In 1828 when the Venoge Cottage was being built, the flourishing town of Vevay couldn't boast of a Lowes, or Home Depot. In fact, they can't even do that today!

What they could and still can boast of were skilled craftsman. Those industrious and ingenious men made do with material at hand in solving problems when building a home..

In tonight's episode of the 19th Century Carpenter Henry Raab adapts a couple of tree branches! From them he creates a simple yet sturdy way to keep your project from sliding off of the work bench! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLFyoHwvH_U

Get ready to Hold Fast and join us by watching. You can also join us by subscribing to our YouTube Channel. It free!

Ever wonder how early craftsman made do without large hardware or box stores? Our 19th Century Carpenter, Henry Raab, teaches a simple and inexpensive soluti...

04/10/2026

ADAPT AND OVERCOME!
Did you ever wonder what craftsman in the 19th century did when there was no Lowe's or Home Depot? Well, get ready to find out this Sunday when we debut the next episode of 'The 19th Century Carpenter' featuring Henry Raab.

You'll learn a trick, which, while simple, can do the job of securing your wood working projects when metal clamps are not available. It does that at a very inexpensive cost!

You know what else is inexpensive? Subscribing to our YouTube Channel! In fact it's FREE. Just click on this link. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvc-26hd38quVTGfivkHBgw

03/23/2026

WONDERFUL MEMORIES WONDERFUL MUSIC!
We had such a wonderful time on Saturday evening that we wanted to share with you these two items. The first is a video capturing Justine Cefalu's performance and our audience reacting to it.

The second is a photo which captures the enjoyment both Justine and Michael Thompson had in presenting this program.
We are working on a plan to bring them back. Details will be forthcoming.

03/22/2026

Chant du Printemps!
That is French for Song of Spring! Musee de Venoge was proud to welcome Justine Cefalu and Michael Thompson. They regaled a packed cottage with French Songs From Old Vincennes." Justine also translated those songs so the audience could follow along.

The evening was a wonderful way to bid adieu to Old Man Winter and welcome the earth's new birth with the season of Spring. There were also plenty of sweets, savories and an abundant flow of ardent served to our thirsty patrons from the Eagle Tavern Cage.

Captain Amos Beacon made sure he kept the Shakespeare flowing as well. "Hark, what ardent through yonder cage is served?"

Plus we were also privileged to celebrate the birthday of Venoge volunteer and all around great guy, Marc Miller. He turned 39 yesterday. Hey, that's what he told us.

Our program was so well received we plan to schedule Justine and Michael to return later this year. But, for right now enjoy these pictures. Welcome Spring!
Stay tuned, tomorrow we will post a short music video.

Photos: Marco Lapenna, Dakota Phillips, Lorrie Lapenna, Donna Weaver.