Amish Village Lancaster, Pennsylvania
The Amish, sometimes referred to as Amish Mennonites, are a group of traditionalist Christian church fellowships that form a subgroup of the Mennonite churches. The Amish are known for simple living, plain dress, and reluctance to adopt many conveniences of modern technology. The history of the Amish church began with a schism in Switzerland within a group of Swiss and Alsatian Anabaptists in 1693 led by Jakob Ammann. Those who followed Ammann became known as Amish
Christianity and the Native American Religious Experience
Linford Fisher is assistant professor at Brown University. He graduated from Lancaster Bible College in 1999 and received masters degrees in religion and church history from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in 2002. Fisher completed his doctorate in American religious history at Harvard in 2008. The topic of his dissertation—how the 18th-century religious awakening in New England impacted Native Americans—is also the subject of his first book, The Indian Great Awakening: Religion and the Shaping of Native Cultures in Early America.
Christianity and the Native American Religious Experience was the final event in a 2012 lecture series organized by Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The Society seeks to understand Native American history as a critical part of both the Mennonite and the Lancaster County story.
The Society's book and museum store sells The Indian Great Awakening for $34.95. Visit lmhs.org, call (717) 393-9745, or e-mail shop@lmhs.org for details.
Pennsylvania: The Amish @ Lancaster
The Amish are a group of traditionalist Christian church fellowships with Swiss German Anabaptist origins. They are closely related to, but distinct from, Mennonite churches. The Amish are known for simple living, plain dress, and reluctance to adopt many conveniences of modern technology.
The history of the Amish church began with a schism in Switzerland within a group of Swiss and Alsatian Anabaptists in 1693 led by Jakob Ammann. Those who followed Ammann became known as Amish. In the second half of the 19th century, the Amish divided into Old Order Amish and Amish Mennonites. The latter mostly drive cars as does the main society during the 20th century, whereas the Old Order Amish retained much of their traditional culture. When it is spoken of Amish today, normally only the Old Order Amish are meant.
In the early 18th century many Amish, and Mennonites, immigrated to Pennsylvania for a variety of reasons. Today the Old Order Amish, the New Order Amish, and the Old Beachy Amish continue to speak Pennsylvania German, also known as Pennsylvania Dutch, although two different Alemannic dialects are used by Old Order Amish in Adams and Allen counties in Indiana.
As of 2000, over 165,000 Old Order Amish lived in the United States and about 1,500 lived in Canada. A 2008 study suggested their numbers had increased to 227,000, and in 2010, a study suggested their population had grown by 10 percent in the past two years to 249,000, with increasing movement to the West. Most of the Amish continue to have six or seven children, while benefitting from the major decrease in infant and maternal mortality in the 20th century. Between 1992 and 2017, the Amish population increased by 149 percent, while the U.S. population increased by 23 percent.
Amish church membership begins with baptism, usually between the ages of 16 and 23. It is a requirement for marriage within the Amish church. Once a person is baptized within the church, he or she may marry only within the faith. Church districts average between 20 and 40 families and worship services are held every other Sunday in a member's home. The district is led by a bishop and several ministers and deacons. The rules of the church, the Ordnung, must be observed by every member and cover many aspects of day-to-day living, including prohibitions or limitations on the use of power-line electricity, telephones, and automobiles, as well as regulations on clothing. Most Amish do not buy commercial insurance or participate in Social Security. As present-day Anabaptists, Amish church members practice nonresistance and will not perform any type of military service. The Amish value rural life, manual labor, and humility, all under the auspices of living what they interpret to be God's word.
Members who do not conform to these community expectations and who cannot be convinced to repent are excommunicated. In addition to excommunication, members may be shunned, a practice that limits social contacts to shame the wayward member into returning to the church. They typically operate their own one-room schools and discontinue formal education after grade eight, at age 13/14. Until the children turn 16, they have vocational training under the tutelage of their parents, community, and the school teacher. Higher education is generally discouraged, as it can lead to social segregation and the unraveling of the community. However, some Amish women have used higher education to obtain a nursing certificate so that they may provide midwifery services to the community.
16 10 9 lancaster county footage Amish Buggy
This next several video are a series of a recent trip I took to the Amish Farm and House in Lancaster County Pennsylvania. On the trip with me is my husband Roy, my mom Edna, my cousin Sue, and her grandsons Austin and Garrett. This video is a record for my family of our experiences.
This is the horse drawn buggy at the Amish Farm and House. there is a path that runs petty much through out the entire farm. The driver of the buggy explains points a interest along the way.
For over 60 years, The Amish Farm and House has been educating countless visitors about the history and lifestyle of Lancaster's Amish community. This educational farm was the first establishment of its kind in the country. Visitors have included British Royalty, politicians, movie stars, singers, school groups, and individual families. On an average year, all 50 states will be represented.
The Farm was granted to Governor John Evans from William Penn in 1715. The farmhouse was built in 1805 and served as a home for over seven generations including Quaker, Mennonite and Amish. The property was opened to the public in 1955 and is one of the oldest continuously operating farms in Lancaster County.
When the farm was sold in 2004, many of the trees and the front fields were removed. Many of the local and out of state visitors were upset - some down right mad! Some felt the the land had been taken directly from the Amish!
Unknown to most, the majority of the original 25 acre of the Amish Farm and House were zoned commercial and therefore open for commercial development.
Unfortunately, the home and barns were not listed on a historic preservation list. And because most of the land between Lancaster City and Route 986 had already been commercialized, it was only a matter of time until the farm would be developed. The Amish Farm and house's future was uncertain. It appeared that it was destined to close and be torn down...
The new owner purchased the land in hopes to develop it into a large shopping complex, anchored by Lancaster County's first Target Store.
During the sale process, the new owner met several times with The Amish Farm and House's management. The Farm's history, heritage, and cultural importance were explained. The quality educational and cultural experiences were clearly presented to the owner. Because of these meetings, his mind changed and the majority of the farm was preserved.
Not only did the new owner keep the historic buildings. but he also invested a lot of time and money in the farm's conservation, preservation and maintenance.
New fencing was installed, the animal housing was improved, and a very picturesque buggy path was laid out the covers almost the entire 15-acre farm.
In 2006, thanks to the financial support, Lancaster County's only one room school opened specifically for tours. The Willow Lane One Room School House opened on the property!
As for the new development, the Target Store and The Covered Bridge Marketplace were accented with stone to coordinate with the farmhouse and the barn. The new stores have been a big hit with the local Amish. Apparently they love shopping at Target!
Through the 21st century bustle, The Amish Farm and House has remained a quality educational farm museum that has delighted millions. Their slogan is where today touches history. and it truly is!
The Amish Farm and House is located at 2395 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster, PA 17602. Their phone number is 717.394.6185. and for more information check out their website at amishfarmandhouse.com. and any musical selection for this video came from bensound.com
Pennsylvania's Amish Country
Pennsylvania's Amish population maintains its religious practices and austere way of life, tending some of the most productive farmland in the country.
From the Series: Aerial America: Pennsylvania
Journey Torward Honor and Healing Promo
This promotional video was produced by the Honor and Healing DVD committee of a partnership between Lancaster Mennonite Conference and Circle Legacy Center to bring Honor and Healing to the Native American Community in south central PA. This promo is the beginning of a fund raising effort to finance a more detailed documentary of the treatment of Native Americans during the colonization and subsequent birth of the United States. Many historical events have been omitted from textbooks leaving out important truths regarding First Nations peoples. It's time for healling.
John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.(kjv)
Honor and Healing Committee
c/o Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society
2215 Millstream Rd.
Lancaster, PA 17602
717-393-9745 * lmhs@lmhs.org
16 10 9 lancaster county footage school house
This next several video are a series of a recent trip I took to the Amish Farm and House in Lancaster County Pennsylvania. On the trip with me is my husband Roy, my mom Edna, my cousin Sue, and her grandsons Austin and Garrett. This video is a record for my family of our experiences.
This is the Willow Lane Amish One Room School House at the Amish Farm and House. This schoolhouse was built in 2006 by financial supporter specifically for tours. Today it is a fully operational school taught by the King sisters. Amish education highest grade (decided on by the Supreme Court) is eighth grade. And this video is indicative of what happens to my mind when I walk into any classroom through out my life... it's detached and very scattered, with out focus.. my attention was easily distracted to what was going on around me and outside..... sounds like every parent teacher conference my parents ever attended! lol
For over 60 years, The Amish Farm and House has been educating countless visitors about the history and lifestyle of Lancaster's Amish community. This educational farm was the first establishment of its kind in the country. Visitors have included British Royalty, politicians, movie stars, singers, school groups, and individual families. On an average year, all 50 states will be represented.
The Farm was granted to Governor John Evans from William Penn in 1715. The farmhouse was built in 1805 and served as a home for over seven generations including Quaker, Mennonite and Amish. The property was opened to the public in 1955 and is one of the oldest continuously operating farms in Lancaster County.
When the farm was sold in 2004, many of the trees and the front fields were removed. Many of the local and out of state visitors were upset - some down right mad! Some felt the the land had been taken directly from the Amish!
Unknown to most, the majority of the original 25 acre of the Amish Farm and House were zoned commercial and therefore open for commercial development.
Unfortunately, the home and barns were not listed on a historic preservation list. And because most of the land between Lancaster City and Route 986 had already been commercialized, it was only a matter of time until the farm would be developed. The Amish Farm and house's future was uncertain. It appeared that it was destined to close and be torn down...
The new owner purchased the land in hopes to develop it into a large shopping complex, anchored by Lancaster County's first Target Store.
During the sale process, the new owner met several times with The Amish Farm and House's management. The Farm's history, heritage, and cultural importance were explained. The quality educational and cultural experiences were clearly presented to the owner. Because of these meetings, his mind changed and the majority of the farm was preserved.
Not only did the new owner keep the historic buildings. but he also invested a lot of time and money in the farm's conservation, preservation and maintenance.
New fencing was installed, the animal housing was improved, and a very picturesque buggy path was laid out the covers almost the entire 15-acre farm.
In 2006, thanks to the financial support, Lancaster County's only one room school opened specifically for tours. The Willow Lane One Room School House opened on the property!
As for the new development, the Target Store and The Covered Bridge Marketplace were accented with stone to coordinate with the farmhouse and the barn. The new stores have been a big hit with the local Amish. Apparently they love shopping at Target!
Through the 21st century bustle, The Amish Farm and House has remained a quality educational farm museum that has delighted millions. Their slogan is where today touches history. and it truly is!
The Amish Farm and House is located at 2395 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster, PA 17602. Their phone number is 717.394.6185. and for more information check out their website at amishfarmandhouse.com. and any musical selection for this video came from bensound.com
Amish Mennonite
The farmlands of the Pennsylvania Dutch Country are among the most productive in the nation. But many of the farmers here are different from most Americans, different by choice. For they are the Old Order Amish and Mennonites, also known as The Plain People.
These people trace their heritage back hundreds of years, and yet, despite all
the time that has passed and the many changes that have taken place in society,
they still live and work much as their forefathers did. Their families and their
farms are their top priorities, second only to their God.
The Amish are very devout in their faith. They believe in the literal interpretation
and application of Scripture as the Word of God. They take seriously the Biblical
commands to separate themselves from the things of the world.
There are more than 20 different varieties of Amish and Mennonites in this area.
We will be referring primarily to the more conservative Old Order Amish, who
still hold to the original doctrines and traditions of their faith.
The Amish wear plain clothing and do not permit worldly grooming.
young men are clean-shaven, and married men wear
untrimmed beards, but are not allowed mustaches. The women wear head-coverings
in obedience to Scripture, and follow the Biblical command that beauty should
come not from outward adornment, but from the inner self. The children dress the same as the adults.
You will see their horse-drawn carriages on your drive through the countryside.
Church members are not permitted to own cars because they allow easier access to
the worldly influences of society. The Amish here drive their Lancaster Gray
carriages which are all identical in style and color.
Because the Bible teaches against open displays of wealth, all status symbols
are discouraged. This is another reason for the uniformity in Amish carriages and
clothing styles. The Amish place a high value on farming and farm-related occupations. Closeness to the soil and to nature is important to them in providing a wholesome setting for their families. They view the city as a center of non-productive lifestyles, and feel the Christian life can best be maintained in a rural environment, with only minimal influence from the outside world.
Out in their fields, you are likely to find a farmer walking behind his team of horses or mules. While some gas or diesel powered equipment such as milking machines are permitted, tractors are not allowed in the fields. Despite these restrictions, Amish farms are well known for their productivity. You can identify the Amish homes by their lack of
electrical powerlines, a buggy in the yard, and a windmill alongside the farm building.
Since they do not use electricity, these windmills and waterwheels provide the needed power for pumping water. Gas stoves, refrigerators, and kerosene lamps are standard in
Amish homes, while central heating is considered an extravagance.
The family plays an important role in Amish society. Amish families average seven children, and each child is given his own specific responsibilities. An Amish dialect known as Pennsylvania Dutch is spoken within the home and among fellow Amish.
Amish children attend one-room schoolhouses until they meet the state's compulsory education requirements at age 15. With the practical training and work experience they receive at home, any additional education is thought to be unnecessary.
Children also receive a thorough Bible training within the home. Amish parents feel they are responsible to God for the spiritual welfare of their children. When the children get married, their parents will help them get started on their own. The youngest son will eventually take over the family farm, and an addition called a Grossdaddi House will be built onto the main house for their parents. Just as Amish parents feel obligated to take good care of their children, so children feel a responsibility to look after their older parents. Seldom are older family members sent to nursing homes.
There is a strong community spirit within the Amish membership, and they often
reach out to help members in need. Barn- raisings are an example of their love and
service to one another.
The Plain People trace their origin back to the Protestant Reformation in Europe,
where there was an emphasis on returning to the purity of the New Testament Church.
One group of reformers rejected the popular concept of infant baptism, and
became known as Anabaptists. Menno Simons was a leader of this movement, and his
followers came to be called Mennonites.
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Who Are The Amish?
Who Are the Amish?
Mark Louden, Professor of German
Recorded: November 21, 2013
The Old Order Amish are one of the most familiar religious groups in America today. Spread out across thirty U.S. states (including Wisconsin) and Ontario, the Amish population is doubling every twenty years. While many outsiders are aware of certain visible aspects of Amish culture, including their distinctive dress, use of horse-and-buggy for transportation, and limitations on technology, in this presentation we will explore the faith and values that are at the heart of their society. Along the way we will clarify a number of misunderstandings about the Amish, including many propagated by popular media.
Mark L. Louden is a Professor of German at the UW--Madison and co-directs the Max Kade Institute for German-American Studies there. A fluent speaker of Pennsylvania Dutch, he received his undergraduate and graduate education at Cornell University and taught at the University of Texas at Austin before joining the UW faculty in 2000. His main research and teaching interests include Germanic linguistics and German-American studies. He is the author of the forthcoming book, Pennsylvania Dutch: The Story of an American Language.
Who Are the Amish
Professor Mark Louden from UW-Madison gives us an informed description of the Amish, their culture, and religion. Mr. Louden is also a fluent speaker of Pennsylvania Dutch and a practicing Mennonite.
Explaining the Amish Way of Life - VOA Story
Not far from the hustle and bustle of city life live the Amish of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. These deeply religious people shun the conveniences of modern society to live a simpler life where transportation is a horse and buggy and horsepower really means horsepower.
The Amish are very devout and take seriously the biblical commands to separate themselves from the things of the world including electricity. Power comes from propane, kerosene, wood, coal, or natural gas.
As the world around the peaceful farmland changes, so have some of the traditions of the Amish. Transportation is no longer limited to horse-drawn buggies. There is a division among the Amish over the automobile. One group got automobiles, another group kept the horse and buggy. we just simply name them old order -- drive the horse and buggy, and the new order -- drive the automobiles. They have electric, they have meeting houses and they don't have green shades.
But many traditions remain. Amish children attend one-room schoolhouses through grade eight and farming is the mainstay of Amish life. There are normally two horses on a farm for buggies. Several mules are kept for farming. Milking is one of the most important sources of income on the farm.
Many Amish leaders believe their separation from the outside world strengthens their community. And that community is thriving. Despite what many on the outside would describe as a backwards lifestyle, the Amish population in Lancaster County has almost tripled over the past half century.
EPA's 2009 Smart Growth Award: Envision Lancaster County, Lancaster, PA
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Envision Lancaster County directs new development to existing towns to protect the farmland, rural areas, and natural landscapes that define the county's character. The plan considers the entire region by promoting reinvestment in existing communities and encouraging more compact, interconnected neighborhoods. By doing so, the plan preserves open space, protects water resources, and provides for greater housing and transportation choices.
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Local Legend: The Hans Herr House
Our local legend project for Mr. Titters class
A MENNONITES FAMILY AND FARM WITH ALL THE WORK OF MILKING 80 COWS IN PENNSYLVANIA USA
The Mennonites are a Protestant group based around the church communities of the Christian Anabaptist denominations named after Menno Simons (1496--1561) of Friesland (a part of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation), who, through his writings, articulated and thereby formalized the teachings of earlier Swiss founders. The teachings of the Mennonites were founded on their belief in both the mission and ministry of Jesus Christ, which they held to with great conviction despite persecution by the various Roman Catholic and Protestant states. Rather than fight, the majority survived by fleeing to neighboring states where ruling families were tolerant of their radical belief in believer's baptism. Over the years, Mennonites have become known as one of the historic peace churches because of their commitment to pacifism (opposition to war and violence)
In contemporary society, Mennonites are both an ethnic group and a religious denomination. There is, however, still ambiguity and controversy among Mennonites about this issue, with some insisting that they are simply a religious group while others argue that they form a distinct ethnic group. Increasingly historians and sociologists treat Mennonites as an ethno-religious group.
There are about 1.6 million Mennonites worldwide as of 2009. Mennonite congregations worldwide embody the full scope of Mennonite practice from plain people to those who are indistinguishable in dress and appearance from the general population. The largest populations of Mennonites are in India, Ethiopia, Canada, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the United States, but Mennonites can also be found in tight-knit communities in at least 82 countries on six continents or scattered amongst the populace of those countries. There are German Mennonite colonies in Argentina, Belize, Bolivia,Brazil, Mexico, Uruguay,and Paraguay, who are to a large extent descendants of Mennonites living in eastern Europe, and there remains a small congregation in the Netherlands where Simons was born.
The Mennonite Disaster Service,based in North America, provides both immediate and long-term responses to hurricanes, floods, and other disasters. The Mennonite Central Committee provides disaster relief around the world alongside their long-term international development programs. Other programs offer a variety of relief efforts and services throughout the world.
Schnebelli-Bachman Bible
The Schnebelli-Bachman family Bible, one of the rarest artifacts in the MHC collection, was selected as one of PA's Top 10 Endangered Artifacts for 2013. Go to for more information.
The Life of the Amish Ed Tech
Created with WeVideo ( Easy, online video editing. Students need to pick out a region of the United States and chose a culture or lifestyle they would like to learn more about and they needed to create a video.
SECRETS AMISH Families Don't Want You To Know
SECRETS Of AMISH Families EXPOSED!
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They tend to keep to themselves, so most of us don’t know much about the Amish. We know that they wear out-of-date clothing, and drive horses and buggies - but that’s about it. Today we are going to let you in on some hidden secrets that Amish families would prefer to keep to themselves. You may have heard about the tradition known as rumspringa, since it’s generally portrayed in pop culture as a form of Amish spring break. However, the reality is far less tantalizing than you might think, and occasionally involves some drunken buggy driving. Different Amish settlements follow different sets of rules, which are called Ordnung. Some of the rules are universal, while others vary and control everything from what you wear to whether or not the settlement has a vehicle. Amish children do have their own schools, but they only go up to the eighth grade, meaning that all of their teachers only have an eighth grade education themselves. Courtship tends to be a quick affair in Amish culture. One day an Amish boy gives a girl a buggy ride home, and the next thing you know her parents are bundling them up to for bed, literally. Having your parents tuck you in when you’re no longer a child is awkward, but having them also tuck in your boyfriend and then place a board between the two of you is something else! You might be surprised to learn that not all Amish completely shun technology on principle, and they come up with some rather ingenious ways to get power while staying off the grid.
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Herr's Mill Covered Bridge Lancaster County, PA
Herr's Mill Covered Bridge is located in Lancaster County, PA
Tourism Vs. Reality TV: Exploiting Pennsylvania's Amish
They typically wear plain clothing with nothing as fancy as a button or a zipper, travel by horse-drawn buggy and shun modern conveniences like electricity. It's that Old World charm of the Amish that draws 8 million tourists - and $1.9 billion - each year to Pennsylvania's Lancaster County, home of the nation's largest Amish community of 31,000. What the Amish don't do, supporters say, is tote rifles as part of a violent protection racket - as depicted in the television show Amish Mafia - or regularly defy their religion, like in Breaking Amish and Breaking Amish: Brave New World. And, Amish horror stories are not the norm, despite the plot lines of the upcoming Amish Haunting.Last week, more than a dozen state officials, including Governor Tom Corbett and Congressmen Joe Pitts and Patrick Meehan, issued a statement citing bigoted and negative, inaccurate and potentially damaging portrayal of (the) Amish and demanding an end to the shows.The Lancaster Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Convention and Visitors Bureau, and a regional interfaith coalition of clergy echoed those comments.