AMISH COMMUNITY AT MILLBANK

On the weekend of October 25th Wayne and I took a tour of the Amish Community at Millbank. They have only been opening up their farms to the public in the last 5 years and it was very interesting. The Amish are members of the Anabaptist Christian denomination, best known for their simple living, plain dress and for resisting modern conveniences. It originated in Switzerland among the Swiss Brethren in 1693 and early in the 18th century they began migrating to Pennsylvania because of intense persecution. The Old Amish Order has been the most successful at resisting change. They emphasise church, family relationships and they typically operate their own one-room schools and children stop their education in Grade 8.


Above is an example of one of the bicycles that they ride. They use modern technology if it cannot be avoided but in this case the bicycle is propelled much like a scooter.


We had often seen these booths above and wondered what they were. They are actually telephone booths which they will use but will not have a telephone in their homes so booths such as this stand apart from the homes and can be used by several different families.


This was one of the workshops that we visited. This was the harness making workshop which is kept very busy.


Gradually over the years many of the Amish who first settled in Pennsylvania spread their wings and bought land in other localities. This community in Millbank is quite large and is not too far away from the Mennonites who live near St Jacob's and Elmira.


We thought this was a good picture of an Amish farm complex. Below I am standing in front of a sled which they use during winter.



Wayne wanted to see inside one of their barns and although this not officially on the tour it was a good example of what they were like. This of course had a selection of pigs in various shapes and sizes.


I think the photo below is great. Wayne captured this pair in just the right light and spot.



They even allowed us to go into one of their homes. No electrical appliances or lights at all and very little furniture. They heat their homes with wood burning stoves and heat water for washing etc which is all done by hand. It appears that about 90% of the Amish people who are raised in these communities stay in them as the children do not interact with outside children and culture since they do not go to outside schools and are not exposed to the media.