Friday, August 31, 2012

Up Close with the Amish


Our first field trip of the year was today. We went to Jamesport, MO, which boasts having the largest Old Order Amish community west of the Mississippi. Our tour guide has lived there all his life and befriended many of the Amish when they came to settle in 1951.

Jim took us to their one-room school where several ponies were parked out front, to their bakery shop, to the grocery and bulk item store, and inside one of their homes.
There is no electricity, but skylights and kerosene lanterns help. The girls wear the long dresses and caps. They don't drive cars, but use horse and buggy. A married man can no longer shave his beard. Interesting.

1 comment:

April said...

I haven't made it to Jamesport yet since we moved here, but am planning to go. I have been told that there is one day during the week that the shops are not open (other than Sunday). Did you happen to notice when that day might be?