There are some places that make you feel like you just stepped into the past. Either coincidentally or by design – sometimes both – these places honor a time long gone, because the people there know that our true roots reside in the lives of our ancestors.
In central West Virginia, just west of Monongahela National Forest, lies a small village called Helvetia (hel-vay-shuh) where time stands still.
This small town was settled by Swiss and German speaking immigrants from Brooklyn, NY, in 1869. Since then, the village has remained largely intact. But more importantly, so have its traditions.
The Husse Restaurant serves traditional Swiss food and is open daily for residents and guests. Many other structures from their 19th century roots still remain as well.
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Another remnant of their heritage can be seen in their annual festivals, which honor the traditions and beliefs of the Swiss people.
Chief among them is Fasnacht, a festival that is intended to drive away old man winter and usher in the coming of Spring. This holiday is celebrated by a ball where traditional masks are worn. Following the ball is a bonfire.
Helvetia is indeed the most unique little village in West Virginia, where the traditions brought over from a European country are alive in America, through both celebration and architecture.
