There are just a handful of Amish in the Old Dominion state–or should I say “commonwealth”, a formal label VA shares with just 3 others–Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Kentucky.
If you’ve been reading this blog for a while you may remember two posts I did after visiting a pair of small Virginia Amish settlements in February.
Well, the Amish State Guide entry for Virginia Amish is now available. One interesting thing for me was learning of a quite coastal settlement which once existed in Princess Anne County.
The Amish in this community apparently made frequent trips to the ocean thanks to a convenient train connection. But the Princess Anne County Amish are long gone, and the area where the community existed would now be quite urbanized due to the growth of Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
For whatever reason, Virginia has just never seen a lot of Amish settlement (bordering Kentucky, in contrast, has been overrun by Amish, with close to three dozen communities, and of course Pennsylvania is brimming with Plain folks).
Curious to hear from Virginia natives or anyone who’s paid these communities a visit–or, for that matter, anyone with an opinion–why aren’t there more Amish in VA?
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Even though I’ve been through the state of Virginia many times , I’ve never stopped at its Amish settlement. But i would maybe say land prices Erik as maybe one reason why the Amish population has not grown like in most other settlements in other states. Being so close to heavily populated Washington D.C might be part of the reason why the land cost would be on the high side, and the Amish I’m sure are very sensitive to that fact. Richard from the Amish settlement of Lebanon,Pa.
Richard I think you are right, well definitely in northern VA. But there is also a lot of Appalachian VA, not too unlike what Amish have settled in Kentucky. There could be other issues like building codes or who knows what. I haven’t really looked into it much but thought I’d throw it out on a Friday afternoon 🙂
Amish in Princess Anne County
I live in Virginia Beach, have for the most part since 1978. Though there are no Amish in our area, we do have several Mennonite communities in both Virginia Beach and Chesapeake. Both the Bergey and Yoder families ran dairy farms and processing plants up until about 5 years ago, offering home delivery, fresh ice cream and dairy stores. I live in the Kempsville section of the city, once a rural farming community and home to these Mennonite families. The Bergey family has reopened their store in the “country” in Chesapeake, making small batch ice cream, delicious baked goods and sandwiches. They also offer bottled milk, though not processed by them as well as offering jams, potato chips, flours and other items “imported” from Pennsylvania and Ohio.
I am Amish
Hello my name is Elijah I am Amish and currently on my free time running around and checking out the country and world , I would like more information on the Amish that lived in the virginia beach area . Can anyone help me with this . I only have six more weeks before I get baptized into the Amish for the rest of my life. I am 17 years old and would like to know why the Amish moved away from Virginia beach, where they shunned away or something else. Please reply to my friends e-mail address. Snipper441@aol.com. I currently live here with a friend before I go home to my family . I normally can be found on the beach and making memories with my friends at there homes and at the malls. Thank you
If you really were Amish, you’d be in the “Untericht” 3 weeks before baptism and you would know that the weeks before baptism are very important before they take a “gmaynah-rote” about your baptism. A little research before posting such a whopper would have been a good idea.
Reread your post in the office. The Untericht is actually 18 weeks. I thought you wrote 3 weeks, but six, three, the result is the same. Six weeks before baptism would be two weeks before Rote-gmay.
I am Amish
Sir I am unsure why you say things like this. You don’t know me nor have I put word down that are not true, I am only 17 and still learning everyday , this is my rumspringa time to go out and see things and say things without being judged . I have much to learn and see and experience . I am in my learning stage of life right now and have years to learn .als er iemand anders zijn die me zou helpen met mijn oorspronkelijke vraag dank u. This is all I ask not to be judged , if I don’t find the answers I seek I will continue until I find them my family tells me I am welcome to come home once I have made my choose . They want me to come home but I seek more knowledge and God zal mij naar huis begeleiden wanneer hij wil.
“Elijah”, so is there a reason you’re posting comments in the Dutch they speak in the Netherlands? Think you should do a bit more research before trying this sort of thing.
I am Amish
Hello ,I would like to apologize , for you don’t know me and I will post here not any longer. I will go back to my family in Trenton Ky . Thank you for all your support and guidance .
Interesting. Trenton, KY, is a Mennonite community.
Doubt that
As someone from Kentucky, I doubt what you are saying about Todd County. Todd County is home to the oldest Amish settlement in Kentucky. Founded in 1958, the “Guthrie community” is home to “electric” New Order Amish that originate from a now-defunct Amish church at Stuarts Draft, Virginia.While New Order Amish dot the rural landscape in southern Todd County, a growing settlement of Old Order Mennonites exist in the northwestern portion of the county near Fairview. So in other words, Todd County, Kentucky is both Amish and Mennonite.
Please, let’s keep the phony Amish drama for the “reality” shows on TV. This guy is as real as those shows.
“Elijah,” if you knew what Untericht and gmaynah-rote meant and how an Amish person goes about preparing for baptism and what rumspringa really means, you’d understand why I wrote such things. Your must be very confused — the “Dutch” you wrote must be, as Erik wrote, from the Netherlands, not the “Deitch” spoken by your supposed people. So let’s switch to “Amish Dutch” and you can reply in the same, okay?
Du bisht noch naett bei die Gmay and ich glaub gar naett as du draa bisht die gmay-noch-gay. Witt du mich saage was du really noch bisht? Du kennsht undem saage es geht mich nix on, un es dutt naett, avvah so en lieg is graat plain naett g’scheit.
I think you’d find that most of the folks on this board will be happy to answer any questions that come up, no matter who they are from. Assuming of course, that they know the answer…
I know only a very little about that settlement, but as I recall, it dispersed simply because the area got too crowded and built up. I believe I have been told that several of the men were dairymen, and that there were still one or two families in the area, but I cannot confirm this.
Pearisburg/White Gate
Erik,
I just moved to VA from NC and was happy to find an Amish community nearby in the Appalachian foothills of Giles County right on the border of Bland County. The community is called White Gate. They dress and seem to conform as if they are Old Order, but I’m not sure that is the case. I talked to a girl in a store that a Kauffman family runs there and she said they came from Kentucky around 1991. They have buggies and the store is run on “Amish electricity.”
I live in the twin cities Bristol TN and VA. On the Bristol, VA side there is an Amish store just off Lee Highway. I’ve never been but am told it is run by Amish and is not “in name only”. Nearby at at Walmart, I encountered what I thought was an Amish lady, but I wasn’t 100% positive because her dress was pink and I wouldn’t expect pink on an adult; maybe I’m wrong on that or maybe this lady was actually Mennonite, but I am unaware of Mennonites in this are. Seems we have at least one Amish family in Bristol, VA. I have never heard of a settlement here. Is it unusual for one or two families to settle away from other Amish?
Lisa:
I also live in Bristol the amish store is amazing they have really good sandwiches!! But I didn’t know they were owned by amish people that’s really cool! I think an “amish” family lives in my neighborhood I live right on the Tn/Va line I’m not for sure though.. I do know they wear dresses and skirts all the time. I guess that could be amish lol!
They may be Beachy Amish Mennonite. I believe there is a congregation in that area. Why don’t you ask your neighbors? They would probably be more than happy to share information about their faith if you are interested!
Woman in pink dress
Lisa from Bristol, in general, the Amish women I see from the Giles County VA area wear darker colors, and as Erik said, never print. I also agree that they use safety pins rather than buttons. My understanding for this is that they consider buttons to be an adornment. The woman in a pink dress that you saw may have been German Baptist. The women of that faith who I see in the Roanoke area were pretty print dresses in all colors.
No, Lisa, they're Baptist
I asked the question on my first visit. The goods are Amish or Mennonite, but the people running the store are not. They’re extremely nice, however, and the store is fabulous. Check out their spices; they cost a fraction of what the grocery stores sell them for.
Amish in Bristol
The store is no longer in business. It closed sometime last year or the year before. I haven’t really paid attention. At times when I go to Walmart at Exit 7 (I am originally from Southeastern Kentucky but now live in Bristol), I do see some Amish/Mennonite families. I don’t know if they are of the Old or the New but they do drive a vehicle instead of a cart and horse. They do wear lighter colors as the women and little girls are always never seen in dark colors.
Why is there no Amish out West, say, in California?
Here is a answer.
http://www.gameo.org/encyclopedia/encyclopedia/contents/fauquier_county_virginia_old_order_amish
Fauquier County, Virginia, Old Order Amish Settlement
Here is another community in Va
http://www.southsidecentral.com/wordpress/2009/07/26/an-inside-look-at-halifax-countys-amish-community-part-1/
Amish in Virginia
We lived in Fauquier County, Virginia for two years, 1971 – 1973, and attended the Amish church. The church became extinct soon after we left with most of the other families moving out. Those that remained attended the Beachy church which is still there.
"Amish" Churches
I’m from Ohio, where we have the largest Amish settlement in the world. The Amish have Church services in private homes, every other week. Unlike most people, they do not have regular church buildings. Amish women wear any color they choose, as long as it’s a plain color, not a print. When out shopping, the females ALWAYS wear a large black bonnet over their smaller “kapp”, which is a small white bonnet. Here are some easy ways to tell if a woman is “real” Amish. The hair directly around the face is twisted and then pulled to the back and worked into the bun under the kapp. Their clothing does not use zippers or buttons, only pins. And then there is the language they speak, which is their own dialect and similar to High German. They do NOT speak “Pennsylvania Dutch”. That term is not correct, as there is no such thing. Years ago, I had several very good friends who were Old Order Amish and they were more than happy to answer all my silly questions!
Actually, land prices in Southside Virginia can be pretty reasonable, hence the recent move of AMish from Delaware to Halifax Co., Va. The Shenandoah Valley also has a large horse and buggy Mennonite settlement, which most visitors would take to be Amish if they didn’t know better. It’s near Dayton.
looking for amish
Does anyone know of any Amish in NY? I have visited those in Ohio and PA
very good information on this site would like any info on Amish in NY
NY Amish
Hi Marijane, thank you. For Amish in New York, try this: https://amishamerica.com/new-york-amish/
Lot of info on NY Amish on that one.
And if you’re interested in others here is the full guide to Amish in all states: https://amishamerica.com/amish-state-guide/
Amish in California
Karen to my knowledge there’s only been one attempt made to settle in California. It’s a good question, CA after all is a heavily agricultural state, though as I understand it a lot is large-scale production? Historically speaking distance I’m sure discouraged CA settlement; nowadays I have to think things like land prices and levels of taxation in California would discourage Amish from thinking of that kind of a move.
Here’s the history of the one CA Amish settlement if you’re interested:
https://amishamerica.com/settlements_tha/
States may not welcome Amish
Some states simply do not welcome their buggies on the roads.
I was raised Mennonite with relatives that are Amish. If you want some answers to questions you may want to read the books by Donald Kraybill.Here is his site.
http://www2.etown.edu/amishstudies/
I will say we are cousins and he is very trusted by the Amish Bishops and he does write truth.
Donna G
Pearisburg/Giles County VA Amish
@Adrian the Pearisburg group is apparently a little different than most Amish from what I’ve heard. I’m not sure exactly what their affiliation is but I think there are some New Order-ish tendencies and apparently they are accomodating of visitors and outsiders. Maybe others on here know more about this group.
Amish Moving from Whitegate Community
My wife and I visited the Whitegate community in Giles County, VA,recently and discovered that meny families were leaving for other locations (notably Missourin and Lee County, VA).
Also, the Amish merchantile store is relocating.
Is this community completely dispersing to other locations?
Thank you and we enjoy your information.
Dave T.
Bristol VA plain people
Lisa sounds like that may have been a Mennonite or Beachy Amish person, to be honest I am not as up to speed on Mennonite communities’ locations but am not aware of any Amish in that area. There is however apparently a community in Lee County VA, or at least there was one as of a couple of years ago. It looks like this would be about an hour’s drive from Bristol. So perhaps there is someone from that group that travels to run the store?
Sometimes Amish will set up with just one or two families but it is in the hopes of attracting more or knowing that more are planning to arrive.
One of the keys to surviving as a settlement is attracting enough families and another is to have a permanent resident minister. Many Amish communities haven’t made it because they have failed to do one or the other (in addition to other reasons).
Mennoites in Lee County, VA
There is a community of Mennonites in Lee County, VA as of 7/17/13. They are a congregation full of vitality and life. Wonderful, hospitable people. I have been attending their church at Rose Hill, Va., and have been welcomed with open arms. They are very patient with me and try to answer all my questions! I feel welcome there and am always invited back.
Yes, very nice folks. Some of them have visited us in Yanceyville several times, and I hope we can return the visit fairly soon. It’s about a 5.5/6 hour drive from us here, or maybe less if you don’t drive like I do…
Fauquier County VA
Donna thanks for the links and especially the Halifax Co Amish link, I had not seen that one. And the Fauquier Co link as well, I remembered reading a bit about this one (I mentioned the first late 1800s Fauquier County settlement at the state guide link).
Also, Esther it was very interesting to hear from you as someone who was a part of this community. And one more thing, Donna you are lucky to have DK for a cousin! Agree with what you said. On that note here’s a recommended resources list but I need to add to it: https://amishamerica.com/recommended-amish-resources/
I would say the same thing would apply to California as Virginia with its high land prices, especially California with its very high taxes and outrageous cost of living. So i think the Amish are looking for good buys in land just like the rest of us are, and i can see why place like Montana and Missouri are growing to name just a few. For Lebanon county for example, prices are generally a little lower than in connecting county Lancaster, and as a whole so is the taxes. I think it mostly always comes down to how much value can someone get with the land, but i understand some other factors are in play like location and soil quality. I’m not sure if the Amish population in Lancaster county is growing because of new Amish residents, or the fact that its population that already live in the county is expanding. I would guess its the later. Richard from the Amish settlement of Lebanon county.
So I have come across the concept of a group of Amish moving hundreds of miles to form a new community. I would love to hear about how they pull off the logistics of something like this without driving or the Internet. I would imagine they could hire a moving company and ride busses. Does a “scout” go touring around the country on a bus searching for locations?
When the thought first entered my head I had a vision of a big horse drawn moving wagon 🙂
Here is an article on why they move
http://www.cleveland.com/nation/index.ssf/2010/07/amish_expand_westward_scout_ou.html
How do Amish find new places to live?
Hi Eli, sorry I’m a little slow responding, I’ve been a bit under the weather. There is definitely scouting done and that has been the way of things even back in the “old days”. Some of that was encouraged and even financed by land agents, railroads and development companies. Some Amish took homesteading opportunities on the frontiers made available through the Homestead Act.
Not much of that any more, but nowadays an Amish scout or group of Amish may and will often visit on their own, sometimes by hired vehicle, or occasionally by public transport with the more conservative groups. But when they do move, yes they do need to hire transport and moving companies to get essential things from point A to B.
Also, even though they typically don’t use a lot of internet, they can still benefit from the knowledge online. Some will be able to access the data that is available online through non-Amish friends, co-workers, and other contacts.
Of course there is also the Budget and other Plain publications. These, and in particular the Budget have a long history of communicating news from new settlements and encouraging/discouraging others to join. It really is in some ways like the Plain paper internet.
Pearisburg, VA / White Gate Community
@ Adrian:
Would love to hear more about this community. I was unaware there was an Amish Community [somewhat] close to me.
Amish in Giles County
I realize this comment is probably several months too late for this thread! However I live not too far from Giles Co. (Whitegate) and we took a day trip up there in Autumn 2011 and had a good day there. There was an outdoor auction and bake sale. Proceeds from the bake sale go to their small school there. There seem to be regular bake sales. The lady we chatted with at a small store there said she was from Ohio, her husband was from PA and he was thinking of moving back there to be nearer his family but she said that she was done moving around! Anyway I know that the Amish don’t farm as much as they used to for a number of reasons, land prices being the main one I guess. But in this area I heard or read somewhere that the land is just too steep to farm well without mechanized equipment. They’re on a plateau up there a bit but it’s still pretty rugged land.
Amish Businesses - Giles County VA
Julie, it’s never too late to comment on one of these threads, I’m glad that you did. This community is in my top 5 Amish settlements I’d like to visit (not only for the bake sales!)
For anyone interested, here’s a Giles County website with Amish business listings for the Pearisburg community…I’m just assuming it’s up to date, might be worth calling before you drive out of your way, unless you’re like me and don’t mind the risk of the occasional wild-goose chase 🙂
http://gilescounty.org/amish.html
Giles County, VA Amish
I am quite a bit late in commenting on the Giles County Amish. I live extremely close to the Amish settlement. I see them frequently. They are definitely alive and well. Some have moved due to a split in the church but many have stayed and are doing well for themselves. They have fundraisers frequently throughout the summer and fall for their school. The land in the area is good for farming as it lies beside the creek with beautiful mountains around.
Amish in Va
There were Amish families living in Burks Garden Va Which was the first choice for the Biltmore Estate and wanted to buy up more land but were unable to. They have since moved away. I also know of an Amish family(Yoder’s) that does cabinet work in Bland County, Va. They operate their business and store with generators. They have done work for me in the past. Very nice people and also do excellent work.
My family and I are considering moving to the Giles Co area and came upon this website while doing research. I realize that the above comments are quite old, but am wondering if the settlement is still there? I would love to have Amish neighbors!
Please Boycott All Amish Products
Please boycott all Amish products until they close down their abusive and filthy puppy mills. Dogs are angels on earth and not livestock.
Oh, but let’s not stop THERE! We can ignore the fact there are many Amish who are NOT guilty of puppy-milling and turn our guns on OTHER causes as well. Let’s stop buying any Italian products until the mafia is abolished. Let’s stop buying any Indian products until child-brides are abolished. Let’s stop buying anything connected to Africa until the appalling genocide ceases and for mercy’s sake, don’t buy any Turkish delight until the slaughter of the Kurds is halted. Oh, wow, we are going to have QUITE the list here. Turning back to America, don’t buy anything from Catholics until clergy abuse is wiped out and of course we won’t buy anything from Muslims until they stop acts of terrorism.
End of rant. Beth, not all people of any cultural group are guilty of the acts of some of their members. Knowing these atrocities exist is profoundly upsetting, I agree, but blanket boycotts are not the answer.
Your worthy cause is better served by educating the public about responsible dog breeding and purchasing. I’ll go out on a limb and say I highly doubt these mill-puppies are being purchased by Amish customers, just as non-Amish owned puppy mills (and those do exist) are also selling to private individuals who want a boutique-type pet. Educate the potential buyers about responsible purchasing and the mass-produced product fails to find a market and the problem dissipates.
Puppy Mills
You make many good, salient points, but the communities you named all have members who come out in opposition to the terrible injustices you named. I just wish the Amish would come out against the puppy mill industry and criticize those who participate in it. Thank you for the respectful tone of your cerebral response. I try to do my best to educate others about all puppy mills.
So out of 300,000 some Amish in the world, none have ever spoken out about puppy mills? Hmmm…. I actually DO know a few personally who have spoken out on the issue just like I know some who are excellent caretakers of their dogs.
Thankful for those who speak out against puppy mills
I am so thankful to hear that. I will also be thankful for the day when all Amish puppy mills are abolished, and I can support the Amish.
an·gel
ˈānjəl/Submit
noun
1.
a spiritual being believed to act as an attendant, agent, or messenger of God, conventionally represented in human form with wings and a long robe.
“God sent an angel to talk to Gideon”
2.
a person of exemplary conduct or virtue.
“women were then seen as angels or whores”
synonyms: saint, paragon of virtue; More
Just FYI.
Angels--defined
“A spiritual being believed to act as an attendant, agent, or messenger of God”–You just described a dog. FYI