Alpine Hills Museum and Sugarcreek Information Center plays a key role in welcoming tourists as well as introducing visitors to the area’s unique heritage
By Jennifer Kneuss
of The Bargain Hunter
A little known gem of Tuscarawas and Holmes counties lies in the Alpine Hills Museum and Sugarcreek Information Center (which is located in the lobby of the museum) in downtown Sugarcreek. With its Old World storefronts and lively piped-in music, the Sugarcreek business district attracts tourists from not only Ohio, but all over the world. On a recent Saturday morning, Lowell Youngen, president of the center’s board of directors and volunteer manager/curator, was kept busy with the numerous visitors who filed in the front door, each of which Youngen warmly greeted and then dutifully counted and recorded.
Youngen is no stranger to the Sugarcreek area tourism market, including a time when he and his wife operated a bed and breakfast out of their home. “I was involved with the Swiss Festival for 27 years,” he explained. “My wife, Diana, and I organized the craft show. I spent my time with the concessions committee, and also served as president of the organization.” About five years ago, Youngen retired from his full-time job as auto parts manager for a local Volkswagen dealership. Diana also retired from her 33-year position as an Avon representative.
“We’ve been retired and just enjoyed being flexible and doing whatever we wanted to do. Then, after the Kasers (former managers) retired in December, the board of directors reorganized. I was elected president, and I agreed to take this position. I’m the jack-of-all-trades as a volunteer,” he said, chuckling. “It’s been a lot more work than we thought it would be, but we felt it was important. My wife stepped in and helped get the information center reorganized, along with volunteers to help staff it. She volunteers at the information center, too. We take turns.”
Visitors stop in to tour the three floors that showcase the history of the area with fascinating life-sized displays, a huge collection of antiques, and a glimpse into yesteryear. The museum also offers a 12-minute video that depicts both the origins of the area and how residents live today, with an emphasis on the farming and Swiss cheese industries.
“I refer to the museum as Sugarcreek’s best kept secret. I encourage the local people, if they haven’t been through it already, to tour it as well.” Lowell Youngen paused to answer questions about not-to-be-missed local attractions, as well as to give suggestions about the area’s eating establishments. He also invited the guests to tour the museum, which does not charge admission but does accept donations to help with operating costs. When he returned, he was smiling. “I like showing off the museum, the interaction with the tourists, and seeing their reactions to the town.”
Diana Youngen arrived in time to take over for her husband for the rest of the afternoon. She settled herself behind the desk. “This spring we’ve already had people from at least 35 states and a dozen different foreign countries,” she exclaimed. She also noted that they welcome the help of volunteers to staff the information center, and encouraged anyone interested to contact her husband or herself.
“We have really been happy with the number of families who come in with their children,” she added. “The children just love to come here. I want to tell parents, please bring your children to learn the heritage of our area.”
The Alpine Hills Museum and Information Center is located at 106 West Main Street, Sugarcreek, and is open Monday through Saturday during the summer tourism season, and closed on Sundays. For more information, to volunteer, or to schedule school or group tours, contact the center at 330-852-4113.
