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The Amish originated in Switzerland and Germany. Jacob Ammen, the founder
of the Amish faith, split from the Mennonites in the late 1500's. Although
the Amish and Mennonites have retained similar beliefs, they differ in a
few practices.
 By
the early 18th century, the Amish began emigrating from Europe to North
America as a result of persecution. They were attracted to Pennsylvania
because of William Penn's "holy experiment" of religious tolerance. Many
Amish settled in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. There are over 30,000 Amish
that live in Lancaster County today. Other groups settled in or moved to
New York, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, and Ohio.
Amish maintain a wholesome and simple lifestyle. They stress humility, family,
community and remaining separate from the world. Members usually speak a
German dialect called Pennsylvania Dutch, however they learn English at
school. The schools are one-room buildings run by the Amish. Formal education
beyond 8th grade is discouraged, however many continue learning from their
homes. Manual labor is good; they have little regard for labor-saving devices.
Hard work and thriftiness are virtues. They do not own or use automobiles,
but travel by horse and buggy. They do not use electricity, or have radios
or TV sets.
The Amish have turned to woodworking or "wood crafts" as they
call it to protect their lifestyle by augmenting their farming income. In
the past generation of local Amish families, it is very common to convert
one of their barns into a woodshop.
Members do not marry outside of the Amish community. Couples who plan to
marry are "published" in late October. They are married in one of their
homes during November or early December. The couple will stay in one of
the family's homes until a house can be built for them in the following
spring. Along with their simple lifestyle is their dress. Men and boys wear
dark suits, coats, pastel-colored shirts, a straw or black broad-brimmed
hat and black shoes. Women are usually covered head to toe with long skirts
and aprons, blouses and caps. They also wear select pastel colors. To see
the Amish walking down the side of a country road as the sun is setting
is a heartwarming privilege and pleasure. |
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