Helena Paderewska at her Purebred Poultry Farm in Riond-Bosson near Morges in Switzerland

The Swiss Riond-Bosson estate housed a large farm of pure-breed hens, established by Helena Paderewska, who was a member of the poultry breeders’ association in Switzerland, France, Belgium and England. The musician’s wife liked to present her hens at various exhibitions, where she often received distinctions and awards. Her greatest achievement in that respect was the medal of “Chevalier of the Mérite Agricole,” a prestigious decoration awarded by the French Ministry of Agriculture.