1

In 1772, the Moravian church founded Schoenbrunn ("beautiful spring") as a mission among the Delaware First Nations residing in Ohio. The original settlement grew to upwards of sixty dwellings and more than approximately 300 inhabitants. Within this village, a schoolhouse and a Christian church was built. In 1777, this peaceful village became a ghost town as a result of problems associated with the American Revolution. The inhabitants of Schoenbrunn eventually made their way from Ohio to the wilderness of southwestern Ontario to found the Fairfield Mission in 1792.

Today, Schoenbrunn consists of 17 log dwellings that replicates, based on the archaeological and historic records, the original village of approximately 60 dwellings. The Moravian church was very formulaic in their construction of villages. The footprint of Schoenbrunn was identifical to that of the Fairfield Mission. By taking a glimpse of the replicated village at Schoenbrunn, the Mission of Fairfield Comes Alive!

2

The Grounds of Schoenbrunn
2000-2010
Schoenbrunn Village State Memorial, Ohio, USA

3

The grounds of Schoenbrunn are very similar to those at the Fairfield Mission in its location along a river bank within a secluded wooded area. The grounds at both missions would have been cleared for the dwellings and for cultvation of corn, beans, wheat and other sources of food.

4

Entrance to Schoenbrunn
2000-2010
Schoenbrunn Village State Memorial, Ohio, USA

5

Cabin in the Woods
2000-2010
Schoenbrunn Village State Memorial, Ohio, USA

6

Most of the dwellings would have consisted of single storey dwellings and a few larger two storey dwellings. The Moravian Missions are known for their pacifist and simple lifestyles. Modest round or squared log houses with chinking certainly would have been the main construction within these villages.