Amish Homes

Amish Seating

A good, comfortable seat is nothing to sneeze at. The more so since we sit so much nowadays, be it for work, in the car, or just using a computer. I’ve lately been contemplating a new swivel chair for my desk.  The one I’m sitting on as I write this post is a bit thin on the cushion. My back lets me know about this…

Ask an Amishman: Books & Furniture

Ask an Amishman: Books & Furniture

There have been quite a few interesting submissions on the question request post.  Today’s topic comes from an old batch but we hope to get to some of your newer questions soon. A reader asks: Do they have books or normal furniture? Given the generality of that question I simply asked John to comment on the types of books and furniture seen in Amish homes….

How do Amish keep track of their grandchildren?

How do Amish keep track of their grandchildren?

The following is taken from an anonymous obituary found in The Diary.  The gentleman in question, a Mr. Stoltzfus, was in his early 80s at the time of death.  According to the obit, among other relatives, Stoltzfus was survived by “98 grandchildren; 32 step-grandchildren; 143 great-grandchildren; numerous step-great-grandchildren”. I am always amazed by numbers like these, which are not uncommon for Amish individuals, especially when they…

Amish milk cans

Amish milk cans

Continuing our “Signs of an Amish Home” series, let’s have a look at milk cans.  Milk cans seem to be another one of those quintessential symbols of the Amish–who else uses them nowadays? A few other Plain groups perhaps, but not many others.  If you see them stacked up by the road or by the barn, that’s a sign of a likely Amish place, and…

The Amish trampoline

On a recent post on Amish architecture, I shared some sure-fire ways of picking out Amish homes from the non-Amish.  Some of those ways have become less sure-fire as Amish homes have come to resemble English ones. Rich Stevick helpfully added some other signs of Amish abodes, including the trampoline, loved by Amish children.  Here’s a shot of one from the hilly Munfordville-Horse Cave, KY Amish…

Inside an Amish home: Washing Machine and Basement

Mary Brandenburg shares photos of a basement and washing machine from an Ohio Old Order Amish home. Basements in Amish homes typically have cinder block walls and cement floors.  You’ll have a sink and an area to process food.  You’ll also have a stove of some sort piping heat throughout the house in winter. Card tables for summer lunches and games like ping pong are…

Amish Architecture

The Amish home is changing When you visit Amish communities, can you pick out the Amish homes? As a general rule, the more conservative the community, the easier it is to tell the Amish dwellings from the English. The lack of power lines is one giveaway.  So is the style and design.  A Swartzentruber Amish farm home has a distinct angular look to it.  The (often…

Amish housewives’ helpers

Amish housewives have quite the workload.  They do get some help in managing the household, though.  Amish homes often feature modified appliances, built to run on power sources other than public electricity. Depending on what is allowed in a given church, you might see an air-powered mixer, or gas-powered refrigerator.  Wringer-style washing machines are common. The most conservative Amish groups use only minimal technology though….

Inside an Amish home: Three rockers

Over the past few weeks we’ve tried to show the diverse interiors of Amish homes, from the plainer to the more progressive. I hope you enjoy this shot today from a more conservative Swartzentruber Amish home: What do you spy on that dresser? Hanging around: Special thanks to Karen Johnson-Weiner (author of New York Amish: Life in the Plain Communities of the Empire State) for sharing…

Inside an Amish Home: Michigan Amish Relaxation Room

You might remember a photo a couple weeks back, of an Amish kitchen that some people found a bit on the fancy side? Today we have a shot of another room in the same Michigan home: This place looks like it has some nice spots for taking a nap.  Just as long as those clocks aren’t too noisy.  A close-up: Another Amish wall decoration: Special…