Amish population figures are available for 2013 on the Amish Studies website. Among the new numbers you’ll find: Total church districts is estimated at 2,056 The Amish population has risen 20% since 2008 The top 10 states with Amish account for 92% of the total population “High-growth” states over the past 21 years include New York, Minnesota, and Tennessee. Among the “slow-growth” are Delaware and…
Just back from Pennsylvania and the Elizabethtown College Amish conference. Lest you think I was on campus all week, I share a few photos here proving I ventured out. Early June is a beautiful time in Lancaster County, and though it rained the first two days of the conference, Saturday and Sunday the weather was just dandy. I spent some time with the youth over…
On Saturday morning at the Amish technology conference, an Amish speaker gave a short talk on the Ordnung (church rules), key to the discussion of the Amish relationship to technology. I was presenting at the time so was not able to hear it in person. However I was able to acquire a copy of the talk, entitled “A reflection on the nature of Ordnung and…
I gave my talk on Amish-themed websites this morning at the Amish & Technology Conference at Elizabethtown College. Four main points covered in the talk: Many Amish websites have a commercial aspect, even those we might not expect to A number of indicators suggest Amish website visitors are more often female and middle-aged Searchers find Amish websites via many obscure search terms There are likely…
As mentioned a few weeks ago, food ethnographer William Woys Weaver has written a new book entitled As American as Shoofly Pie: The Foodlore and Fakelore of Pennsylvania Dutch Cuisine. I recently asked Dr. Weaver ten questions about his book, the Pennsylvania Dutch, and their cuisine, which you’ll find below. I found his answers very interesting and I hope you do too. Amish America: Who…
Road signs warning of buggies are ubiquitous in Amish areas. This is the first time I’ve seen one alerting drivers of an Amish funeral ahead. This sign was spotted on an Indiana backroad. As you’d expect, funerals can be heavily-attended occasions, among the largest events held at Amish homes. Another time to stay particularly alert is on Sunday morning when Amish travel to church services,…
Today we have 3 winners of The Amish, the new book by Donald Kraybill, Karen Johnson-Weiner, and Steven Nolt. You’ll find the contest winners at the bottom of this post. We also have the second part of the author Q-and-A (if you missed it, read Part 1 here). Part 2 below covers general questions on the Amish and is a sample of topics covered and expanded…
The photos below are of a model log cabin home previously on display at Eash Sales in Shipshewana, IN. This cabin has since been sold and replaced by a two-story model. The company that makes these is called Hoosier Rustic Cabins, and has recently changed owners. Looks like a cozy little spot. UPDATE: Here’s the price sheet and cabin layout….
Amish use of technology often puzzles outsiders. This is exacerbated when observers see Amish using a piece of technology that doesn’t seem to fit their notion of what the Amish should be. Simply put, people are disappointed when they discover the Amish aren’t as “Amish” as they expected, due to the technologies they allow. Sometimes this leads to accusations that Amish have “betrayed their roots”…
Beth Russo shares photos from the recent Bowling Green, Missouri Amish auction. Amish people frequently patronize auctions and sales of one variety or another. These events can have a treasure hunt aspect to them. Estate sales in particular may yield old furniture, books or other heirlooms. Who knows what you might come across. Here are a some of the things Beth came across at Bowling…