Amish Farm & House

Amish is a way of life brought over from Switzerland around 1690. Contrary to popular belief, it is not a religion. The oldest (and second largest) Amish settlement in the United States is in Lancaster County, where there are an estimated 30,000 living in a 30-mile radius.

At the Amish Farm and House, you can see how the Amish have lived for more than 300 years. The Amish kitchen is of particular interest. Although many outsiders see Amish life as isolated and restrictive, they have no dietary restrictions. Since they shun electricity, propane is used for cooking and lighting. Most Amish in Lancaster County have indoor plumbing.

Their clothing is rather uniform (strictly solid colors) and there is plenty on display in the upstairs bedrooms. Perhaps the most striking difference between the Amish home and most American homes is the lack of pictures. Like Muslims, the Amish forbid photos of sentient beings. Highlights of the outside exhibits include old farming equipment, a vacuum milker, blacksmith shop as well as a schoolhouse. The Amish are only educated up to 8th grade, as that’s all they deem necessary for their way of living.

The only thing missing from the museum are actual Amish people. For those who want to see Amish life in the 21st century, 90-minute bus tours leave from the museum seven days a week. They wind through the back roads of Lancaster County, where the Amish live and work. They are generally friendly people as long as you don’t try to take their picture.