Amish Questions

I got an email yesterday from Bill Coleman’s archivist asking about an unusual photo found in his collection. He described it as “one of Bill’s earliest Amish photographs” and that he had not seen anything similar in any of Bill’s other photos. This photo “was taken in the early 1980’s…”[women in] scoop hats” is the […]

Continue Reading What do these Amish women have on their heads?

I had a massive craving for pie the other day, one which struck like lightning.  In North Carolina I am over 2 hours from any Amish communities, so I headed posthaste to my local Kroger for the store-baked variety. The black raspberry pie I selected came in an attractive matte box which had encouraging things […]

Continue Reading Is Amish Food Really Better?

If you’ve been following the Kentucky Amish SMV case, you know that some people still do. Jacob Gingerich of Graves County, Kentucky recently wrote 138 letters to KY legislators explaining the Swartzentruber Amish position on the safety triangle. Thanks in part to Gingerich’s efforts, a compromise bill acceptable to his people has quickly passed the […]

Continue Reading Does anyone still write letters?

Stephen B writes: While I certainly understand the idea behind Plain-ness, of not calling undue attention to one’s self out of modesty and of not wanting to be too much of this world, it seems to me that as times and fashions change, the Amish haven’t really updated their fashions enough to actually *stay* plain. […]

Continue Reading Is Amish clothing really “Plain”?

Amish Workshops has posted a great look at the process Amish women go through to pin up their hair.  The article features over 2 dozen photos illustrating the procedure. Amish women don’t display their hair for Biblically-based reasons.  They also do not cut their hair, pinning it all up underneath a kapp, or prayer covering. […]

Continue Reading How do Amish women put up their hair?

Sarah writes:  I know pregnancy is a taboo subject in the Amish culture… what are the does and don’t when discussing? I have very close Amish friends. The woman is about 8 months pregnant by my estimate and today is the first day her husband has even acknowledged her pregnancy to me, and quite honestly, […]

Continue Reading Why don’t Amish discuss pregnancy?

I’m working on a huge Amish buggy post for Friday.  Many photos, including some lesser-known buggy styles and designs.  One example: Extra credit to anyone who knows where this photo was taken.

Continue Reading Ever see an Amish buggy like this?

Reader Stella shared some thoughts on the “Joining the Amish after 50” post: Perhaps I’m an unusual atheist but I’ve always admired the Amish philosophy and lifestyle, despite lacking the necessary Faith Trigger to join them. However, I was brought up by atheist parents and taught to respect all genuine engagements with life’s questions, religious […]

Continue Reading What do Amish think about atheists?

A couple of heart-breaking stories this week.  An 11-month-old Amish baby died late Sunday night when it fell from a moving buggy in Missouri.  The person holding it had fallen asleep. Yesterday morning, an Amish woman in Indiana County, Pennsylvania, succumbed to serious burns suffered in a home explosion.  She had thrown kerosene on a […]

Continue Reading Is Amish life more dangerous?

This question got a lot of interesting responses on the Amish America Facebook page this weekend. Four years ago, I wrote about my top 5 Amish settlements.  Is that post still valid? Since then, I’ve visited around 20 more communities.  But I’d say yes–with maybe one or two changes. So what’s your favorite Amish community? […]

Continue Reading What’s your favorite Amish community?