The Swiss Center's Online Museum Catalog is Now Live!

Welcome to the Swiss Center of North America!

Come inside the Swiss Center and explore the stories of the Swiss in the United States and Canada. Our collection holds intricate costumes, cheerful folk art, wood carvings, religious icons, and more. What did Swiss immigrants choose to bring with them, and why? Visit us today, and discover your past!

The Swiss Center of North America values heritage, culture and our relationships with Switzerland.

We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to educating, preserving, and celebrating all that is Swiss in North America.

Visit the Swiss Center to see our latest revolving exhibit, Scherenschnitte & The Schiessers: Rediscovering a Lost Art. 

Elda and Linda Schiesser of Green County, Wisconsin, were both accomplished self-taught scherenschnitte artists. Beginning later in life, the Schiessers taught themselves this intricate folk art using instructional books, interviews, and careful observation. Their work bridges historical tradition and personal perseverance, demonstrating that creativity and learning have no age limit. The Schiessers' creations have been displayed  at the Museum of American Folk Art, the Swiss National Museum in Zurich, the Smithsonian’s American Folklife Festival on the National Mall, the White House Christmas tree, and many other places.

Scherenschnitte, which means "scissor cuts," is the art of paper cutting and design. The artwork often has rotational symmetry within the design, and common forms include silhouettes, valentines, and love letters. The art tradition was founded in Switzerland and Germany in the 16th century and was brought to colonial America in the 18th century by Swiss and German immigrants who settled primarily in Pennsylvania.

This temporary exhibit presents a diverse selection of the Schiessers’ work, spanning traditional forms and contemporary interpretations.