An Amish buggy near Smyrna, Maine
The only Amish in New England are found in Maine. Today there are 3 communities in the state.
You can read more at the new State Guide entry on Maine Amish, with info on Unity Amish donuts, more Maine Amish photos, the unusual origin story of the Smyrna Amish community, as well as a video on the Fort Fairfield Amish.
Amish moving to new areas often do so in search of cheaper land, but many set up small businesses as well, including carpentry crews, small stores, and woodworking shops. Some Amish in Maine have started wood-related businesses; read more about Amish woodcraft in the Pine Tree State: Amish Furniture-Maine.
Photo credit: Maine Amish by Andy Mooers of Mooers Realty
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12 responses to Amish in Maine
My blog Amish Stories is having its first ever contest this week. The First prize winner will win 2 tickets to tour the farm where the 1985 move “Witness” staring Harrison Ford and Kelly Mcgillis was made in Strasburg,Pa . This farm is now Amish owned, and the family has given permission for folks to tour their farm. This may be the last time anyone will be able to walk and see the same things that Harrison Ford and the other actors saw during the making of “Witness”. The Witness tour should last about 2.5 hours. In addition to the Witness farm tour tickets, 1st prize winner will also receive 2 tickets for Jacobs choice. There will also be a 2nd place prize, which will be 2 tickets for the Amish Homestead. Please go to My blog www.AmishStorys.com for contest details, and more information on the prizes. Richard from the Amish settlement of Lebanon county.
Amish in Maine
Thank you for letting me post this contest Erik. Richard
amishstorys
Richard, is any part of your site able to be followed on FB or do you need to access it from an internet site? Enjoy the pictures.
Erik, thank you for this site!!
What a great nontest idea Richard! The info about where the movie was made is interesting. I’ll be making a visit to Lancaster so I’ll add it to my things to see:)
Since your a writer Beth, you should do pretty well in this contest.This farm may not be open to the public again much longer for a tour like this, so if it were me i would enter this. Another benefit to this contest is that its an Amish farm now, so your getting kind of 2 tours in one. And Loretta im not on Face book now, i was to be honest but quickly lost interest in that. I can barely find the time to go to the web sites that i visit now.But thank you for asking, and i hope your able to enter this contest. Richard from Lebanon county’s Amish settlement.
Amish in Maine
My family and friends in Maine tell me that they come across the Amish occasionally, especially the Presque Isle colony. that is just a few miles from where I live here in Canada. Maybe I’ll be able to get a buggy there when the time comes! I grew up in farming country between Caribou and Presque Isle.
Richard, hope the contest goes well!
Loretta, thank YOU for paying us a visit!
And Magdalena, I was confused for a second, then I realized Presque Isle=Fort Fairfield. Unless they prefer to call themselves Presque Isle, which I wouldn’t be surprised to hear.
Thanks Erik, i really would love to tour that farm myself, i may have to enter the contest under another name,lol. Richard .
I have a very close friend from Ft. Fairfield. His grampy’s farm was next door to one of the Amish farms, and ever since his grampy passed away the Amish have kept an eye on the property and maintained it, even though the family never asked. They’re very appreciative of the help from the Amish folk in the area since my friend’s family has largely moved out the area.
I was glad to learn more about Amish in Maine, especially the Smyrna settlement. I enjoy reading their scribe’s letters (from
Oakfield, Maine) in The Budget and have always thought it seems like an interesting community, one which is more open than others to non-Amish who are thinking about becoming Amish. The Amish state guide is great resource, and I’m sure it has taken many, many hours to compile. I refer to it quite often and I appreciate your work on it.
Amish in Maine
Erik,
Is Maryland considered New England? I wasn’t sure but I have a New Order penpal who lives in a community in MD.
Kate, Maryland is not considered New England (some people even place it in the South, but I don’t know if I’d agree). New England starts once you get past New York–Connecticut, Mass, and everything past them.
Al, I really do appreciate you saying that. True, it has been a pile of work, but rewarding. Slow and steady and it will get done–just 6 more entries to go!
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