The Amish – Virtual Field Trip

Who are the Amish?

The Amish are a group of people who live in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana. There are approximately 16,000 to 18,000 Amish people living in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. They believe that their lives should revolve around their family, their community, and the bible. They also believe that they should stay separated from the outside world.

Somewhere between 1720 and 1730 the Amish settled in Pennsylvania because of William Penn’s religious tolerance.

What do they grow on their farms?

The Amish raise many of the same crops that other farmers do. They raise corn, hay, wheat, tobacco, soybeans, barley, and potatoes. The main difference is that all of their farming is done by hand or with horse drawn plows. This takes more time then it would if they were using modern equipment. However they are extremely productive!

What are their beliefs?

The Amish may seem as though they are different from us, yet they are very similar. In the Amish culture change happens very slowly because they examine ideas very carefully before accepting them. In all parts of their lives they follow an unwritten set of rules called the Ordung.

They believe that responsibility is very important. From a very young age Amish children have chores that they are expected to do. The Amish do not drive cars, they drive horses and buggies. They do not use electricity to light or heat their homes. However they do believe in using gas so many things that we use electricity for they use gas for.

Amish children very rarely attend public school. Most of the time they attend one-room schoolhouses. As children grow up they are trained in the family business or working on the farm.

When Amish children reach 18 they get to choose to stay in the Amish faith or leave. Most of the Amish children decide to stay.

Are Amish schools different from ours?

Amish schools are different from ours. They are usually one-room schools houses and children start school at 5 and continue until eighth grade. After eighth grade they begin to work with their family and learn a trade.

Every morning when the school bell rings it signals the students to think about school instead of work. In school there is usually one unmarried teacher. The teacher is usually a woman who did well in school but did not attend college. The teacher focuses on teaching the students reading, math, and writing. They also focus on cooperation and community.

Do the Amish celebrate holidays?

Yes, they do celebrate holidays such as Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter. However, they celebrate in a different way. They focus on the joys they have had in their lives and celebrate their family’s blessings from throughout the year. They are not concerned about giving and receiving presents.

The Amish typically get married in the month of November because Spring and Summer are too busy to take time off for weddings. In the winter the weather is bad so they do not like to have weddings. Weddings also usually take place on a weekday. They do not wear fancy dresses or rings like many of us do.

Why do they dress the way they do?

“Old Order Amish women and girls wear modest dresses made from solid-colored fabric with long sleeves and a full skirt (not shorter than half-way between knee and floor). These dresses are covered with a cape and apron and are fastened with straight pins or snaps. They never cut their hair, which they wear in a bun on the back of the head. On their heads they wear a white prayer covering if they are married, and a black one if they are single. Amish women do not wear jewelry.

Men and boys wear dark-colored suits, straight-cut coats without lapels, trousers, suspenders, solid-colored shirts, black socks and shoes, and black or straw broad-brimmed hats. Their shirts fasten with conventional buttons, but their suit coats and vests fasten with hooks and eyes. They do not have mustaches, but they grow beards after they marry.

The Amish feel these distinctive clothes encourage humility and separation from the world. Their clothing is not a costume; it is an expression of their faith.” (http://www.800padutch.com/amish.shtml)

Do they really build a barn in one day?

If you have ever wondered if you can really build a barn in one day, the answer is yes! However sometimes it takes two days. On barn raising days the Amish come from all over to help their friends and family. Usually 100 to 200 men ready to start work at dawn. In the morning the men frame the barn while the women and children prepare for the noon meal. In the afternoon the roof is installed and if all goes well by sun down the barn is complete. To complete this amazing task everyone has to work hard and cooperate with each other!

Do the Amish really buy and sell horses at auctions?

This is a common practice among the Amish. They typically buy 2 types of horses, driving horses and workhorses. They buy driving horses to pull buggies and carts. These horses are well cared for and live to be about 15 years old. They also buy workhorses to do heavy farm work. For this they usually choose Belgiums or Clydesdales. They weigh about 1,000 pounds and live to be 20 to 30 years old.

Places to visit to learn more about the Amish!

http://www.800padutch.com/amish.shtml - Learn a lot of facts about the Amish lifestyle through this site.

http://www.padutchcountry.com/about_pa_dutch_country/the_amish.asp - Learn about the Amish culture and view attractions to visit while in Lancaster County.

http://www.amishbuggyrides.com/ - Take a buggy ride through Lancaster county and learn about the Amish culture from Mennonites and sometimes even the Amish. They work together in this business.

http://www.800padutch.com/z/amishfarm&house.htm - Visit a real Amish farmhouse and tour a farm to experience how the Amish live.

http://www.amishtown.com/AmishPhotos/horse_auction.htm - Learn about horse auctions and the types of horses the Amish buy and use.