Pennsylvania Amish Country
When people think of Pennsylvania, the beauty of rolling hills, valleys, and trees comes to mind. Amish are also a part of the Pennsylvania heritage. The Amish came to Pennsylvania as part of William Penn's "Holy Experiment", where he opened the doors of Pennsylvania to persecuted people of Europe.
The first sizable group of Amish from Europe settled in Lancaster County, where they thrived. Today it's the second largest group of Amish in the country. The largest group is in Holmes County, Ohio. There are also many Amish in Indiana and Iowa, but about 80% of the country's Amish live in the combined states of Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana.
Although Amish are found in other small communities in Pennsylvania, most people head to Lancaster County to see the Amish. Lancaster County was once a peaceful area with rolling hills, trees and rich red soil. Known as the "Garden Spot" of the nation, Lancaster County has been known for a peaceful tranquil place to raise a family. Today even though you will still see this, much of the farm ground has been turned into apartments, factories, and retail establishments.
Lancaster city is the oldest inland city in the United States, and is rich in history. Amish have been part of that history, and still thrive there today in many communities. Tourism is predominately focused on the history of the county, and the culture the Amish bring to the county. Much of the plain people's lifestyle can be seen in the shops and stores. However, there is a whole different world in the cloak of being "plain".
The Amish live in their own close knit communities. They follow their bishop and the Ordnung, which is the set of rules by which the Amish live and follow their strict beliefs in the Bible. People who are not familiar with the Amish may view the communities as living with rules of "don't"; don't do this, don't do that. However from the Amish side of their beliefs, they see it as adhering to the strict rules of the Bible. They are literal believers of the Bible, which is the basis for their lifestyle. Scripture from the Bible such as "be in the world, but not part of it", or "women are not to be adorned with jewelry" are the basis for the lifestyle you see today.
So when you visit the Pennsylvania Amish country, remember that there is a lot of history to see. And too, be respectful of their beliefs, just as they are of yours.
Was this article helpful? If a vacation to Lancaster County PA interests you or you would like to know more, visit Lancaster County Vacations or Amish Their History
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