Tuesday Sep 11, 2018

Map and road video – Harrisburg to Allentown, PA

Today was a bit of a misjudgement in terms of how I used my time. I wanted to visit Pennsylvania Dutch country so my route took me through the heart of Lancaster County, where about 6% of the population is Amish, and I visited the oldest and most respected Amish tourist operation. Unfortunately, the Amish Farm and Home did not grab my attention for the three to four hours that TripAdvisor reviews seemed to indicate. I did have a second attraction in mind as a reserve but, when I used Google to find the address of MACK Trucks Historical Museum in Allentown, I learned it was closed on Tuesdays.

Despite the name, the highlight of the Amish Farm and House was actually their bus tour into  Amish communities. This was an interesting tour, mainly on small roads, looking at their unusual way of life through their farms, schools, businesses and a cemetery. A couple of short stops along the way added the chance to interact but, as on most tours, was mainly an opportunity to buy local crafts.

The farm and house itself is an almost 300 year old Amish family farm that is still cultivated in the traditional way but is now a tourist education location run by “the English” (the Amish term for all others). It was this part, however, that disappointed as it seemed to emphasize more the “strangeness” of the Amish traditions rather than explaining the religious philosophy that guides the traditions. Since the Amish population in the county continues to grow, I’m assuming that most young Amish are not choosing to abandon their heritage but the guide constantly referred to what the Amish were “allowed” or “not allowed” to do instead of explaining why they choose to live as they do. As far as I can gather their religious traditions require people to be humble and have as little impact on the natural world as possible.

I left after 2½ hours to drive along a scenic byway that passes through many Amish communities and then headed to my hotel in Allentown, arriving early – just as check-in became available.

Amish schools are single rooms where all children within a two mile radius go until they complete 8th grade. The termination of education at that age (instead of the legally mandated grade 12) was granted to the Amish by the Supreme Court in recognition of their religious custom.
The Amish do not use motorized equipment in the fields (although they are used for haulage and on other areas of the farm)
All families have a buggy and horse as personal transportation. They do not own motor vehicles but will use them, e.g. buses and trains, when traveling longer distances.

I was perplexed to see this sign at a farm as the Amish do not connect their properties to the electric grid.but this solar powered source explained it.