The Amish encompass a diverse array of communities, each characterized by its unique practices and customs. While the hallmark features of the Amish—a commitment to simplicity, strong community ties, and a rejection of modernity—are prevalent across these settlements, a closer look reveals a tapestry of diversity within the Amish world. Here, we delve into ten distinct Amish communities that illuminate the varied traditions and adaptations present within this fascinating cultural landscape.
1. Somerset County, Pennsylvania
Nestled in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, stands one of the oldest Amish communities, renowned for a deviation from the typical home-based worship. Here, church services unfold in meeting houses, a departure from the prevailing tradition of conducting worship in homes, adding a distinctive touch to their religious practices.
2. Adams County, Indiana
In Adams County, Indiana, near Berne, the Swiss Amish community distinguishes itself through the use of open-top buggies, a departure from the covered buggies common among other Amish settlements. Embracing their Swiss heritage, they preserve the tradition of yodeling as part of their cultural legacy.
3. Milverton, Ontario, Canada
The historic Amish community in Milverton, Ontario, established in the 1820s, proudly retains older customs, including the use of buggies without tops and sporting unique last names not commonly found in other Amish settlements, showcasing a commitment to preserving their distinct heritage.
4. Dover, Delaware
The Dover, Delaware Amish community stands out for its unconventional rounded side buggies, a departure from the traditional square-shaped buggies prevalent in most Amish settlements. This unique buggy style has even made its mark in other states where Dover’s Amish have established communities.
5. Pinecraft, Florida
Pinecraft, situated in Sarasota, Florida, boasts an atypical Amish community where residents opt for bicycles and tricycles over horse-drawn buggies. This departure from the norm is due to Pinecraft’s urban nature, diverging from the traditional farming communities typically associated with the Amish.
6. Pearisburg, Virginia
Tucked away in the mountains of western Virginia, Pearisburg stands out for its welcoming approach toward outsiders interested in joining the Amish community. Visitors here might encounter the rare occurrence of live interpretations of the Pennsylvania Dutch language during church services.
7. Garnett, Kansas
The Garnett, Kansas Amish settlement surprises with its allowance for members to drive cars for work purposes—an uncommon exception within the Amish world. This showcases the diverse interpretations and adaptations to technology across different communities.
8. Aylmer, Ontario, Canada
Aylmer, Ontario, houses Pathway Publishers, a significant Amish publishing house producing influential publications like “Family Life,” revered among the Amish and plain people. This community prioritizes high moral standards while maintaining a minimalistic approach to technology.
9. Kishacoquillas Valley, Pennsylvania
Kishacoquillas Valley, a small and historic Amish enclave in Pennsylvania, distinguishes itself with its unique yellow-hued buggies—a rarity among Amish communities, where black is the prevailing color for buggies.
10. Colonia Naranjita, Bolivia
A testament to the Amish practice of aiding like-minded groups, Colonia Naranjita in Bolivia stands as an extraordinary Amish community. Established in 2015 through the collaboration of Mennonites and the Amish, this settlement is thousands of miles from their traditional homelands in an exemplary display of cross-continental support.
These ten Amish communities provide a window into the vast diversity and adaptability of Amish life. While sharing fundamental values and beliefs, their distinctive practices and traditions weave a rich mosaic that highlights the nuanced tapestry of Amish culture across North America. The Amish world is a vibrant and multifaceted realm, exemplified by these communities’ unique identities within a shared heritage.