Author: Don Burke

As a minister, Don Burke has served since 2004 as pastor for a church in a small county-seat community in the rural Ozarks. Don’s introduction to the Amish world is told in the Amish America post here.

The interest that began on that trip has since taken him to over 50 Amish communities in 11 states. His visits have mainly been to the larger communities (prompted by his wife’s familiarity from reading Amish novels), and to much-less-touristy settlements in and around Missouri, where he lives.

A self-taught photography enthusiast, Don has merged these two passions into an online library of nearly 8,000 Amish-themed images. His Amish photos have appeared in the landmark book The Amish, digital and print media by The Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies, and feature regularly in Amish America articles and videos.
The Amish of Ava, Illinois

The Amish of Ava, Illinois

ByDon Burke
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Don Burke takes us on a visit to the New Order Amish community at Ava, Illinois today. This small settlement, located in Jackson and Randolph counties in southern Illinois, is the state’s second-oldest (1991). As you’ll learn below, Don discovered a few things he didn’t expect. All yours, Don. — Heading out with nothing more than an Amish-settlement-highlighted IL state highway map and the name of a…

The Amish of Salem, Arkansas

The Amish of Salem, Arkansas

ByDon Burke
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Don Burke has been on a tour of Amish settlements in the South and Midwest. These are his photos and account of the small community at Salem, Arkansas (Fulton County), one of only two Amish settlements in the Natural State. You can view more photos at Don’s Arkansas Amish Flickr album. — Nestled in the Ozarks of north-central Arkansas, within a dozen miles of the Missouri state line,…

The Jamesport, Missouri Amish School Auction (14 Photos)

The Jamesport, Missouri Amish School Auction (14 Photos)

ByDon Burke
23 Comments

Every summer, Amish at Jamesport, Missouri hold their annual Spring Hill School Consignment Auction. This is a large two-day auction drawing a lot of interest. As a preview we have some photos from last year’s event, courtesy of Don Burke. All photos and commentary on this page are provided by Don. You can see more of Don’s Jamesport auction photos and others in full size…