We haven’t done a “5 Points” list in quite awhile, so I thought it might be a good day for one. Below are five modern conveniences that you’ll find in some or even many Amish settlements. The usual caveats apply – not all Amish use all of these. Ever encountered anything on this list in your dealings with the Amish? 1. Solar Panels – Ever drive through an Amish community…
With Christmas just a week away, it’s the perfect time to look at how Amish observe the holiday. Contributor Rebecca Miller, member of an Ohio Amish church, shares with us five ways her own family celebrates Christ’s birth (the ways Amish people observe the season may vary). How Do The Amish Celebrate Christmas? I have been asked this question numerous times, and as with any…
Do Amish women work? Seems a silly question, with their full-time jobs as mothers, homemakers, and all the other roles they take on. What I mean is, do Amish women ever work away from home in an “outside job”? The answer is yes. Younger or unmarried Amish women are more likely to have away-from-home jobs. Generally, those married women with young children are going to…
The Amish have been around for over 300 years, with a history spanning both Europe and North America. Here are 5 important events in the story of the Amish. Source: Steven Nolt’s A History of the Amish. Five Landmark Events in Amish History 1. 1693 – Founding of the Amish by Schism Disagreements over issues including the practice of shunning and frequency of communion led to a…
School starts tomorrow for Rebecca Miller, teacher at an Amish school in Holmes County, Ohio, and recently a regular contributor here at Amish America. That means we’ll be hearing less from her, since she won’t be working a job with regular computer access. However, I’ve still got several posts she has written to share with you. Rebecca also says she’ll still be able to check in occasionally…
We recently had news of a few Amish families moving to Vermont, a place with no other Amish presence. If that attempt succeeds, it will make 31 total states where Amish live. Which other new states might Amish settle in the coming years? After thinking about it, I see a few possibilities. Read on to find out which five I chose, and why. Five States Where…
Updated May 2021 How do Amish decorate their walls? Artwork and other items typical in English homes are generally not found in Amish homes. That doesn’t mean that Amish don’t display nice things, however. No matter your culture, people still like to fill their houses with eye-pleasing items. The general rule for the Amish is that things with a practical purpose are most acceptable. You’ll see what I…
The Amish, contrary to popular belief, are not self-sufficient. In one of our previous “Ask an Amish Person” posts, PA Amishman John Stoltzfus addressed this topic. John noted that “we are very dependent on the outside world, far from self-sufficient, all of us are intertwined…” It’s easy to see why some might think Amish live in a bubble. They’ve been called “a people apart,” and sometimes described as “closed” and suspicious…
I tread lightly into today’s topic, given that I am of the male persuasion, but I trust our readership will be here to help offer feedback. 🙂 Today’s list was actually inspired by a reader request along similar lines. How is the average Amish woman different from her non-Amish counterpart? This list shouldn’t be read as a critique. As I note below, these differences may be made possible in…
Are you planning to visit an Amish community? What are some things to keep in mind when you go? In today’s post we look at five tips that you might find helpful. I realize people are in different situations–some of us have visited Amish communities many times, while others have not but may be planning to. This post assumes you are visiting as an outsider without…