Amish Countryside - Lawrence County, Pennsylvania
SELF GUIDED TOURS AVAILABLE OF THE
AMISH COUNTRYSIDE
IN LAWRENCE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
A self-guided driving tour of the Amish Countryside
in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania provides a glimpse into a world far
removed from modern standards.
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A brochure
providing the tour is available by calling the Lawrence County Tourist
Promotion Agency, New Castle, Pennsylvania at 888-284-7599.
Located one hour north of Pittsburgh,
the Old Order Amish community of approximately 1,500 people lives
in farms that surround the quaint villages of New Wilmington and
Volant in the northern section of the county. Fourteen different
districts comprise the community.
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The average church district is comprised of 75 adult
members in addition to all of the unbaptized children and young adults.
Church officials including a bishop govern each district. Decisions of the
officials determine the way of life of the community.
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Descendants of Jakob Ammann, the
Amish have retained much of the same style clothing worn in the
Palatine region of Switzerland during the sixteenth century.
The
plain, but functional garb sets them apart from the worldliness that
threatens their existence.
The similarity of dress also discourages
pride and encourages modesty. |
Amish girls and women wear dresses
primarily in colors of royal blue, navy blue, black or brown. Reds, pinks,
oranges and yellows are prohibited, as are patterned fabrics. One thing is
absolute. There are never buttons on the clothing of the Old Order Amish
women.
Men and boys wear denim trousers with two large overlapping panels in the
front, which button to the waist. The bishop determines the number and
size of buttons. Coats and vests are fastened by hook and eyes, never
buttons. Suspenders are used to hold up the trousers. Belts are never
worn. The Amish practice
homechurching--gathering for Sunday services at various homes. It is a
major undertaking to host the preaching service. With the help of family
and friends, the house is cleaned and scrubbed from top to bottom. The
host family also provides the noon meal for the congregation.
Many of the Amish in Lawrence County are
agricultural or dairy farmers; the farms are usually passed from one
generation to another. Horses are used to plow the fields. Some Amish
subsidize their farm income with woodworking and construction.
Tourists to Lawrence County may travel the back roads on
the Amish community and view their way of life.
The Amish do not
like to be photographed or video recorded.
For more information, contact:
Lawrence County Tourist Promotion Agency
Call (toll free) 888-284-7599 or visit the official
Website
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