Author: Erik Wesner

Erik Wesner is the creator of amishamerica.com, and author of Success Made Simple: An Inside Look At Why Amish Businesses Thrive. Erik began visiting Amish communities in 2004 – eventually meeting thousands of Amish families while selling books.

He began writing about the Amish on this website in 2006, and is often cited in national media, including USA Today, The New York Times, and others on a wide range of Amish topics. A native of North Carolina, Erik has visited dozens of Amish communities across the country, and loves spending time with Amish friends and discovering new Amish places.

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Overwhelmed By Technology? Here Are 3 Ideas Inspired By The Amish

Overwhelmed By Technology? Here Are 3 Ideas Inspired By The Amish

It’s nothing new to observe that people feel overwhelmed by technology nowadays. The Amish fascinate many for a related reason. They’re a society of people who live with restricted technology, yet by many measures appear to be thriving. Here’s a new article on the Amish and technology where writer Alex Mayyasi looks to the Amish for ideas that non-Amish can use to get back in…

4-Year-Old Amish Girl Killed Crossing Highway

4-Year-Old Amish Girl Killed Crossing Highway

Tragic story from the Adams County, Indiana community: Master Trooper Kurt Jack’s preliminary investigation reports that the girl, identified as four-year-old Barbara JC Graber of Berne, and two other Amish children were running across U.S. 27 and crossed into the path of a southbound Buick passenger car. The Buick, driven by Wayne Foust, 82, of Berne, hit and critically injured Barbara. The other two children…

Some Surprises From The 2021 Gratz Mud Sale (14 Photos)

Some Surprises From The 2021 Gratz Mud Sale (14 Photos)

Similar to 2020, many mud sales have been canceled this year, though some are still happening. The Gratz, PA sale (Dauphin County) does not seem to show up on “official” lists of mud sales, but these are Lancaster-descent Amish, and it appears to be the same concept – a sale meant to support the local fire company. So I’m taking the libery of calling it…

Amish History: Joseph Beller & The “Heftler” People

Amish History: Joseph Beller & The “Heftler” People

Romain Speisser, who gave us a look at the history of the Amish in Salm (Alsace, France), returns today with a historical look at the “Heftler” people – and in particular an Amishman named Joseph Beller, notable as being likely the last Amish person in his area. The name “Beiler” (seen often in Lancaster County) or its variant more common in the Midwest – “Byler”…

75+ Amish Businesses of Adams County, Indiana

75+ Amish Businesses of Adams County, Indiana

I just came across an Amish business listing for the nation’s fifth-largest community, with over 75 businesses. I wouldn’t say Adams County, Indiana is an Amish destination that draws a ton of visitors. I think it is overshadowed by the three or four larger communities, as well as some smaller ones. I also don’t think it’s the most tourist-friendly place. That might have to do…

Listen To Amish Sing 2 Hymns – German & English (Audio)

Listen To Amish Sing 2 Hymns – German & English (Audio)

It’s been a while since we had an Amish singing clip. I think it’s a nice time to post this one. This is described as an “Amish Hymn-Sing at the Historic Nicholas Stoltzfus Homestead”. It’s a good time because the homestead just celebrated its 250th anniversary this past week, with a gathering and benefit auction. Former Stoltzfus Homestead caretaker Nic Stoltzfus with current caretaker &…

6 Places Where Amish Eat Meals

6 Places Where Amish Eat Meals

The post yesterday on one Amishman’s daily schedule mentioned meals – and that got me thinking a bit about the different places Amish eat their meals. So, traditionally Amish life revolves around the home. We picture Amish having regular meal times as a fixed facet of daily life, and safe to say that’s still where the bulk of meals are eaten. I also think it’s…

NY Amish Auction Video (White & Gray Buggies?)

NY Amish Auction Video (White & Gray Buggies?)

So this video threw me for a loop at first – it opens up with footage of a Nebraska Amish buggy. But the actual auction footage, and later buggies, appear to be all Lancaster Amish. Video creator “Art Food and Culture in the USA” comments that this is the Seneca region of New York. Amish have flocked to New York in recent years and among…

Elkhart County Getting Buggy Lanes On “Heavily-Traveled” Road

Elkhart County Getting Buggy Lanes On “Heavily-Traveled” Road

Good news for buggy drivers in a corner of northern Indiana. New buggy lanes are being installed in the Elkhart-LaGrange community. From The Goshen News: “We’re widening both traffic lanes from 10 feet to 12 feet wide,” Weirick said. “At the same time, the new buggy lanes on either side of the road will improve safety for our Amish citizens who use the road as…