A day’s trip to Amish Acres was planned in just two days unlike other trips in and around Lafayette. We have seen several times the bill boards “ Visit the Amish county” while driving to and fro to Chicago, Finally, this time we could make it to Nappanee county, Indiana  –to appreciate and understand this community in their own surrounding.

As our van slowed down noticing the sign.”A Historic Farm and Heritage Resort welcomes the visitor”, we took our turn and followed towards the parking lot.  The red colored barns stand before you, as you near the Nappanee County, soon the entire environment unfolds to the ages-created around 1874.

Amish farm homestead  complex was established  by one of the first Amish families to immigrate to Indiana. The original buildings have been restored, preserved and now house the domestic craft demonstrations...

Our guide took us on a conducted tour. We took our places in a horse cart drawn by a Belgium draft horse, shuttling between the various buildings .she ,  explained  in detail as we moved getting in and out on the horse drawn cart and then by a walking tour.

These included the Main House, “The Round Barn Theatre” (seen from outside) and several of the relocated buildings of importance-namely the black smith shop, “One room German School House”, Apple cider-mill, “Broom shop and the ice house. Two documentary films were shown –Genesis and Exodus of Amish –it was about how they were lead from the Reformation through Migration to America and coping with the modern world.

The Amish people originally migrated from Europe esp. Switzerland and Germany, to escape persecution for their religious beliefs. They based their lives utterly as per the Bible and still tend to avoid all modern innovations including electricity, automobiles, computers, TV etc. They marry only from amongst their own community, but are proud about their tradition and way of living.

Their main education is only up to eighth standard and in German. Some of them do go out to pursue higher education and learn some skills .Even after their return; they strictly follow their family traditions. However, we were told that do engage themselves in small businesses, which may involve use of electricity and machinery.

Their attire is typical of the Dutch –with Bonnets for hair covering, and long skirts with pale colors and beautiful prints that stand out. During winters, they were a long coat to protect them and the bonnets are encased in woolen head gears like hats.

Special varieties of corn are grown, that has long stalk with bristles, and they are gathered and stored during the harvest season-coinciding with the farming practice. The corn sticks are cut, using a simple tool, they are pressed to gether and tied firmly with wires and, colored ropes  intertwined, making it firm. Lastly,  handles fitted and labeled for sale. The men working here are dexterous and make about 20-25 brooms of varying sizes each day.

Main House tour was interesting in the sense, our guide explained the significance of living with traditional machinery to do the daily chores-washing, clothes like” our dhobis” do, cutting apples, slicing and peeling them, vegetable storage cupboards “Meat Safe” their porcelain, pottery display, the dress hangers with hooks fixed on the walls, unlike the dress closet or cupboards to store their dresses. She explained that they lead a frugal life, yet enjoy every activity –teaching, farming and quilt making.

A peep into the quilt making room made all visitors look with awe, the lady in her late 80’s or so, was engrossed at her work,  .
A traditional craft still continues as mark of their proud history and hand craftsmanship taught to the girls at a very young age. Finally a visit to the souvenir shop we picked a few items-my key chain this time in a different mark.

We had carried our lunch, so had it in a relaxed manner enjoying with the rural setting and a cool salubrious climate.
We returned refreshed with a new insight to the variety of human life around us to appreciate those who choose to live differently than those around them.

We stopped at a way side ice-cream parlor and had few scoops of ice-cream, reminding of our trips way back home, enjoying the coconut water fresh from the tree top!!