5 Common Things in Amish Homes

What are Amish homes like inside? I share 5 common interior features & a lot of images from inside Amish homes. I also give alternatives to these common features - which you'll see in more conservative Amish communities.
Check out the Amish America Patreon for Amish interviews & exclusive videos: / amishamerica
View more Amish home interiors: amishamerica.com/category/ami...
My name is Erik Wesner and I'm not Amish. Back in 2004, I met the Amish while selling books door-to-door. Since then, I've visited 5,000+ Amish homes & dozens of Amish communities. I run the Amish America website. More: amishamerica.com/
Image credits: Jim Halverson, Don Burke (www.flickr.com/photos/ozarkin..., David Marvitz (ice harvest photos - / david.marvitz , Karen Johnson-Weiner, Phil Sarlo (youth singing - • Amish Youth Sing ), Mary Brandenburg (basement laundry), S.I. Amish interior photos via Zillow, Realtor.com, Remax

[@AmishAmerica]

Hi everybody, what other "Amish homes"-themed videos would you like to see? 2 that I have planned: Amish interior decor, & how the Amish heat their homes. Let me know, and thanks for all the awesome comments! 👍

[@Reziac]

Those are good ideas. Also maybe something about barn layout and functionality (they don't seem to use hillside barns with a walk-in hay floor above the livestock??) Otherwise, pretty much anything. Often I don't realize something is of interest til I watch the video. Oh, here's something I'd like to see -- how they sew their own clothes. Do they use treadle machines, what they still do by hand, and if there are any particular techniques. The only live Amish ladies I've seen -- their dresses and bonnets were so perfectly made and so beautifully fitted (plain can be stunning), and since I know a little about sewing (but suck at doing it) I became curious. Hmm. And maybe something about Amish undergarments. And dishes and other cooking implements. Now look what you've started. :D

[@Reziac]

Oh, different topic entirely. Do Amish appreciate compliments? I'd have liked to tell those ladies how beautiful they were, and how much I liked the look of their dresses, but wasn't sure it was appropriate.

[@1982MCI]

@@Reziac I believe they are just fine with compliments. I grew up with the Amish but have been away from them for several years but the group in central Ohio was more than ok with compliments and I would think most of them would be now because more and more are getting away from farming and into more customer service type stuff with selling to the public so they need to be ok with it

[@Reziac]

@@1982MCI Cool. I guess they're running a general store in their little town, half an hour from me, so one of these days I need to go down there and meet them where they're more comfortable (the Amish ladies I saw at Walmart had a distinct deer-in-the-headlights look, like it was their first trip to the big city).

[@justinw8512]

Would you do a video on Amish books or magazines please?

[@janicepalesch9221]

I recently went on a group tour to an Amish settlement in Arthur, Illinois. Our large group had lunch at a private Amish home. I learned that the very large rectangular rooms are built for one primary purpose: religious services. The Amish have no churches, because they do not think money should be wasted on building them. So, members of the Amish community rotate having religious services in each others' homes. Naturally, each home must have a large, long room to accommodate the benches for those religious services and for the big meal that follows the services. Those benches are moved every week to the home where those services will be held.

[@ladyjade6446]

My dad would take us to an Amish community to buy eggs and organic chickens. Very friendly people. They gave us a tour and gave my dad tips on his garden. I think my dad would have liked to join them. Lol.

[@y-mefarm4249]

I live in the forth largest Amish community in the world. Many of my friends are Amish and I am one of their taxi drivers. One thing I noticed catching on is.. solar lights. Especially with the teens. When Walmart puts those suckers on clearance, either the garden lights or the Christmas lights. They are bought up fast. The teens bedrooms are sparkly. They even have them inside the buggies. Lol

[@youtubesucks898]

I grew up Amish and I've been telling people for many years, that solar technology will be the thing Amish people will likely use, because they are far more interested in self sufficiency than anything else. They do not want to be dependent or reliant on any outside source, therefore any technology that they can use, but still remain independent, is the technology that they'll be drawn towards.

[@y-mefarm4249]

@@youtubesucks898 You see solar panels on all the shops and barns. They do not use a solar system in their homes. Except for the little garden ones and it's the kids who do that. Plus many have panels ontop of their buggies. The Amish by me are not as strict as some can be. They can own vehicles but must hire a driver. They can drive tractors (and they do.. everywhere lol) they can have cell phones but not smartphones. (But all the teens do) They are not suppose to own boats with steering wheels (but I know so many who have them hidden in storage facilities) I believe the church is going to now allow them but they can't be over a certain size. Fishing and hunting is a huge way of life and you can't supply your family with fish with a tiny boat when all the big walleye are in the middle of the lake. We are in NE Ohio so I am talking about Lake Erie.. not a small lake lol So the church is going to give in on that rule. Over the years I have seen the Amish getting more and more techie. But off grid ingenious techie. They power their shops with compressed air. They got all kinds of tricks to live and work comfy and be off grid.

[@youtubesucks898]

@@y-mefarm4249 , yes I believe that. Being off grid and self sufficient is a huge deal for Amish people. Also have you noticed whether their tractors have tires on them or are the tractor tires just steel rimmed?

[@thetaekwondoe3887]

@@y-mefarm4249 How are cell phones considered "off grid"? I'm surprised any form of those is allowed. Last I knew they didn't allow any type of phone in the home. They could only access one at the local store or something.

[@Ldawg42069]

@@thetaekwondoe3887 religion changes with culture👍🏽

[@dianestafford6968]

I am very grateful to the Amish people, they save so many family farms from going to seed. I find that they are kind, caring wonderful people. I love the items that they sell.

[@ifsheisgonetowherethere6259]

Yes they do!

[@motellion]

God Bless the Amish, we have a lot to learn from you! 🙏🏽

[@mmercier0921]

When the electricity is removed and things go to shit... the Amish will barely notice... until hordes of dumbfounded fools come for their food.

[@meredithrogers1262]

Amish are like any other group of people some good some bad. I drove amish for many years and it was an eye opener. They do not live a perfect life.

[@lopezfam7317]

God bless you and God bless anyone reading this! Hope you have an awesome day! Seek him while you can! Jesus is the way and the only way and he is returning soon! Whenever you think you aren't loved... Remember the ultimate sacrifice was for love! ENDING YOUR LIFE IS NEVER THE ANSWER! For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 KJV The wages of sin is death (hell) but Jesus paid our debt on the cross, for our salvation! We must turn to God and away from our sinful ways, Confess Jesus is Lord and believe with our hearts that he was risen from the dead by God, and we must be baptized in the name of the Father, the Son and The Holy Spirit and live by His word and Commandments! Trust that God will help with the rest! Seek God today before it's too late! Today could be your last day on earth! Have a blessed day! 💕💕

[@lindahouston4549]

So many of these things remind me of my childhood. We weren't Amish, but we lived in a remote area without electricity until I was around 12 years old. We had gas lights in the kitchen, and a refrigerator that ran on kerosene. Our television and radio ran on batteries.

[@Reziac]

Yeah, I've lived the "plain" life too, without electricity or running water, way out in the boonies. It does change the rhythms of your life, and I think makes it easier to just relax and cope when things go wrong out here in Civilization.

[@rocksandoil2241]

Raised in the rural Ozarks. No electricity for my early years, "Two Rooms and a Path" (to the outhouse) - Since the Amish often work outside a lot - not indoors much until dark, they probably are not all that comfortable in a chilly air-conditioned home. We were pretty much that way. Going to the grocery store was uncomfortably cold if it had AC and many grocery stores were not even airconditioned,

[@janettesinclair6279]

Hi Linda! I too was fascinated by many things in this video. In the 1950's I grew up in a remote island community off the coast of Scotland and remember linoleum on the floors, the paraffin oil lamps (until we got gas lighting from bottled gas), the cooking was done on a big kitchen coal fuel stove - the only room in the house that was heated. Water was carried from the nearby well. No need for air conditioning, as it never got very warm. Our home was a modest two room stone cottage with two attic bedrooms, an outhouse round the back, and we had chickens round the door just like these Amish homes.

[@cathylouise8523]

Another reason for large common rooms is that they generally take turns holding church services in their homes rather than separate church buildings, not just youth groups. They have to be able to fit the entire congregation.

[@gretaz1502]

They do this for tax purposes. They can get a big tax break doing this.

[@youtubesucks898]

@@gretaz1502 , really? Don't you have to have a building designed for church in order for the church to get that tax break? Are you just pulling this crap out of your ass? Did you know that Amish do not pay or receive social security? They take care of their own old people. Did you also know that they pay taxes for city grades schools and high schools even though their kids go to their own schools that the Amish fund themselves?

[@SuperSaltydog77]

@@gretaz1502 The church is everything to the Amish. They don't waste money and resources on a separate building that sees limited usage. Instead the church members go to each others home as they are all family, welcome in each others homes.

[@jennifershephard6638]

Thank you for doing a well researched video on the Amish. Amish are wonderful people and they deserve our respect.

[@followyourheart1366]

Ive been an electrician for almost 30 years. Hard to imagine a world without electricity. However, I absolutely respect their decision to live without it!!

[@mrwaterschoot5617]

i have to agree. i flick a light switch i want to see light. i have been spoiled. i have over 65 years of electricity. the has changed electricity came from fossil fuel 60 years ago. coal or oil. today electricity can come from cow produced green house gas of methane. methane also is released by the melting permafrost. it is uncertain is the worse greenhouse. when we humans pass gas out our anus it is a methane green house gas. when we breathe oxygen in we breathe out carbon dioxide a fact of life a green house gas. snack time.

[@CW0123]

My grandpa grew up on a farm with no electricity and as soon as he was old enough he became an electrician apprentice and moved to the nearest big city 😅

[@followyourheart1366]

@@CW0123 Now that's funny!! LOL

[@lopezfam7317]

God bless you and God bless anyone reading this! Hope you have an awesome day! Seek him while you can! Jesus is the way and the only way and he is returning soon! Whenever you think you aren't loved... Remember the ultimate sacrifice was for love! ENDING YOUR LIFE IS NEVER THE ANSWER! For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 KJV The wages of sin is death (hell) but Jesus paid our debt on the cross, for our salvation! We must turn to God and away from our sinful ways, Confess Jesus is Lord and believe with our hearts that he was risen from the dead by God, and we must be baptized in the name of the Father, the Son and The Holy Spirit and live by His word and Commandments! Trust that God will help with the rest! Seek God today before it's too late! Today could be your last day on earth! Have a blessed day! 💕💕

[@lopezfam7317]

Dios te bendiga y Dios bendiga a Todos los que estan leyendo esto! Deseo que tengan un hermoso dia! Buscad a Dios mientras pueda ser hallado! Jesus es el camino y el unico camino y regresa pronto! Recuerda cuando te sientas que no eres amado... el mayor sacrificio se hizo por amor! EL SUICIDIO NUNCA ES LA RESPUESTA! Porque de tal manera amó Dios al mundo, que ha dado a su Hijo unigénito, para que todo aquel que en él cree, no se pierda, mas tenga vida eterna. S. Juan 3:16 RVR1960 La paga del pecado es muerte (infierno) pero Cristo pagó nuestra deuda en la cruz para nuestra salvacion! Debemos volvernos a Dios y apartarnos de nuestros caminos pecaminosos, confesar que Jesús es el Señor y creer con nuestro corazón que fue resucitado de entre los muertos por Dios, y debemos de ser bautizados en el nombre del Padre, del Hijo y del Espíritu Santo y vivir por Su palabra y mandamientos! Confia que Dios ayudara con el resto! Busca a Dios, antes de que sea muy tarde! Hoy podria ser tu ultimo dia en la tierra! Que tengas un hermoso dia! 💕💕

[@jillclark3630]

My daughter and son-in-law live in Amish country in Tennessee, and the Amish are among the most diligent and hard working people you’ve ever met. My son-in-law has a very good working relationship with many of the Amish in their community.

[@amyhaskell4524]

I’m from Kansas and we have an Amish community in Yoder, Kansas where they are well known for their community’s popular restaurant called Carriage Crossing. They serve to the non-Amish communities as well as have many marketed businesses such as meat and furniture. Such a nice town to visit & thank you for the video!

[@nanaphyl5142]

I can attest to the deliciousness of the food at Carriage Crossing! I had a chicken fried steak dinner with mashed potatoes and gravy and green beans. The green beans were delicious! They were fresh grown green beans. And the roll was homemade! I loved it. I plan on going there again!

[@BDAVIS382]

I just finished filling my kerosene lamps and wiping down the globes while watching this video. I have wood flooring in all rooms of the house. Yes my common room is rather large. My basement houses the wood burner for the winter months, I also have a second wood burner outside that heats water for my hot water heater in the warmer months. I do have minimal running water. I do not have a refrigerator. I am not Amish but live in an old Amish home in Parke county Indiana. I do often times plain dress and do a lot of business with the local Amish here being the only recycling center off the grid.

[@bethdavis7812]

We have a large Amish community in Holmes county, Ohio. It is a pleasure to visit and shop where they do and also buy from them. One family serves dinner by reservations to a small group of visitors and food is wonderful. The children help serve and clean u, the house was spotless, the children so cute. It was summer so all were barefoot on their farm including the Mom. The young girls sold their home made aprons and potholders. I have so much respect for them At that time they had oil lamps. Their lifestyle was akin to my grandparents lifestyle when my Mom was growing up and was a wonderful life.

[@anniruba9751]

Menschen können so viel bewegen, wenn sie einen gemeinsamen Lebenssinn haben!

[@christinewalsh3043]

I have literally never heard of any other 'double family' farmhouse with a shared parlour/common room in the centre other than the house I grew up and now live in with my own children and husband on one side, and my brother and his wife and their six children on the other. So cool to hear!

[@Ldawg42069]

@Bobb Grimley go cry about it Bobb. Literally no one cares if you don’t like the use of the word. I can tell by your comment that you’re a grump! Amazing how we can depict things from comments.

[@Blankphotograph5799]

@Bobb Grimley using the term literally, is literally common in American vocabulary. It's really not a big deal, but having such an issue with it makes me realize you probably throw the term snowflake around a lot huh? Don't be an asshole. Kindness is free sir.

[@amberpeace5099]

@Bobb Grimley you okay dude?

[@supermeansadie6753]

I’m not sure about today but I believe a lot of Dutch families live in shared homes. I think it’s very helpful when you have children for sure!

[@magdalena-ug2sl]

It's quite common in the Netherlands.

[@coffeewithacuterina8962]

The only reason I miss Facebook is the Amish based fb groups. Thank goodness for youtube pages like this because this is so wonderful. 💜

[@anitaireland8006]

We have an Amish community here in Maine...I personally love to see all the beautiful white laundry they hang out...also listening to the buggies going by my home...I think they are wonderful people.

[@mariahsmom9457]

I have 1980s linoleum in my home... and they are right. It is still in pristine condition and easy to clean. I always hated it- until i saw this video and now I see the advantages annd plan to keep it! 😄💗

[@invisableobserver]

Vinyl & linoleum is very toxic.

[@maxinedavieds8102]

We spend time in Lancaster county every year. We are so impressed by the hard work these people do, especially the women! We love the horses and cows and hope they are well cared for. Beautiful countryside. Also worth mentioning, they are the best cooks and bakers!! Everything we eat is absolutely delicious.

[@mrwaterschoot5617]

eric thank you for doing your videos. you have reminded me of things that i have seen and appreciate things change over time. example cooling before carrier designed refrigeration one needed a cold damp basement( root cellar) using a cold mountain stream. harvesting winter ice from bodies of frozen water and packing it in sawdust or stacking the ice close together so it was iceberg sized in a wooden building that kept the sun from melting the ice. ... but it takes a life time to gain or appreciate what happened to get us to where we are today. i dont think i will ever be an amish expert but i do have a better appreciation of thier live style by your video. so listening to your video. in the big picture you are a stranger now, who i know have not met face to face, but we met virtually through you-tube. so you have transformed from a stranger to a friend in the the matter of 10 minutes of you tube. and whatever time you needed to produce the video. and it took your life time to gather the knowledge that you shared. keep up the good work friend. you look similiar to me but i doubt that we are closely related. so i will give you a virtual covid impacted environment. you are a brother from parents. cheers this thought is for you my brother. have a g(o)od day and with the grace of god have a better tomorrow. shalom and peace to all of on planet earth third rock from the sun.

[@rainacherienne1010]

They actually treat horses terribly.

[@rosegombos2120]

@@rainacherienne1010 in what way treatment to.horses

[@kathyhester3066]

No I am not Amish nor have I ever been Amish. But I know about some of the things you mentioned. Many older homes in Milwaukee, WI have what we call summer kitchens in the basement. My Grandparents had one. It to was used for canning produce in the summer & baking. Kept the upstairs kitchen cooler & free for other cooking. Also Grandma stored all the canning in the basement. Also, had the coal bin for the furnace & space for the wringer washer & clothes lines for winter drying. Hid down there on hot days & it kept Grandpa's stash of beer & soda nice & cool. Thanks for stirring up some childhood memories. PS: They also had linoleum upstairs on some of the floors.

[@AmishAmerica]

Gladly Kathy. Basements are great, you reminded me of the summer kitchen term, that's a good name for it. Glad the video brought back some good memories!

[@Reziac]

@@AmishAmerica And Kathy reminds me... do Amish use coal for heating? (How DO they heat those big houses? propane would be prohibitively expensive.) Coal is very efficient and makes a wonderfully warm-feeling heat, tho is somewhat messy. (I used to heat with coal... and in a pinch, I could trek down to the mine and pick it up.) Probably not practical in the East due to anthracite being expensive, but here in the Western Wastes where we have strip-mined bituminous coal, it's very cheap (in fact I'd sometimes just pick up the spill along the road down to the pit, no charge).

[@kristybowman8731]

I grew up in Kenosha, WI, and many homes had summer kitchens in the basements there as well. I remember my grandparents’ basement had an old stove and a wooden picnic table for dining. There’s a large Italian population in Kenosha and I remember some of my friends’ moms canning and making/drying pasta in the basement.

[@mattc3152]

I bought my house from an Amish family near the Fulton/Miami County line in Indiana. Apparently there was some kind of dispute within their community and some of them left. It was/is much like you described in the video. I added electricity, central heating and cooling, and modern appliances. It has a coal stove that I still use in the winter, which keeps the entire house surprisingly warm. I removed most of the LP lights. They were kind of handy, but I'm a lot taller than the previous owners and kept hitting my head on them. One of the strangest things I've found was a ziplock bag with a rock in it stapled to a floor joist in the basement. I've never figured out what that was about. We have a good relationship with the remaining Amish and Mennonite neighbors. They stop to visit occasionally and bring baked goods and cards at Christmas time. The Amish school is a few hundred yards from our house. We see the children playing baseball at recess, even in the snow. They host a fish fry fundraiser twice a year, which is really good. After watching your videos, I can't help but wonder if you've ever been in my house.

[@AmishAmerica]

That's really neat that you have a formerly Amish home - they go up for sale fairly often on online real estate sites thought some require more conversion to "English-friendly" than others (eg, those lacking bathrooms). Sounds like you had less work than that to do on yours. Curious what that rock was about! Funny enough I've actually been in this community (Rochester area correct?), briefly, but I didn't visit many places there (this would have been, I believe, in 2006 and it was just a short visit, I vaguely remember an Amish business or two there, it was not a big community then either). Neat to hear you have a nice connection with the local community there.

[@corrinnacorrinna5572]

The kitchens are beautiful. Love all the home canning on the countertop.

[@MarySanchez-qk3hp]

Glad you explained about linoleum... it usually nowadays means vinyl. The word "linoleum" meant it used linseed oil ("lin" plus "ol"), and it used to be cork tiles saturated with linseed oil. You can still buy it. It makes rooms quiet, dampens noise. Now, it's fashionable.

[@geoffpriestley7001]

There use to be oil cloth a sort of coated cotton table cloth water proof and wipe clean. we used it back in the 60 in the uk but it think it was pre ww2

[@ellekewiegers1749]

Funny to see all this. I'm dutch , and actually living near Forbo Krommenie in the Netherlands. Thats where they actually produce linoleum and its really smells nice when you drive by the factory. Its an all natural product and it will last you a life time. I grew up in a house with linoleum. It does need to be waxed every so often. But low maintenance and easy to clean. Whilst in Germany they would have wooden floors. Linoleum is ussually directly glued on a cement floor and then rolled with a heavy special roller. It comes in 2 meter and 4 meter width. But also the gas fridges and the battery powered lamps that they use are very familiar. Still used for camping. And open space living and kitchen. The washer and wringer in the basement reminds me of my grandmother she had one in the garage and that was as recent as the 1970. The cloth mentioned probably would have been painted oilcloth i think. Used as carpets.

[@wildbill7267]

Linoleum contained asbestos

[@d.e.p.-j.7106]

The last time I saw linoleum was in the house I grew up in. It was installed in the 1940s. Ever since then I've only seen vinyl, and they're not the same thing.

[@ajaxa9]

@@d.e.p.-j.7106 Exactly and real linoleum is very very expensive and requires special licensed people to install it

[@goodwillbunny5773]

My mother was born in 1912. Her parent, uncles and aunts were born in the 1880s. Her Uncle Amos (my great uncle) was an ice man in a small town in Minnesota. He would cut blocks of ice in the winter. They were packed in sawdust and stored in a warehouse. He'd go door-to-door selling his ice to homes with an icebox. That was the early 1900s. I think it must have looked like this scene.

[@goodwillbunny5773]

And my mother had a wringer washer all her life. She passed in 1998 and everyone wanted to inherit that old Maytag!

[@kimfleury]

@@goodwillbunny5773 the wringer washer reminds me of a funny story from my childhood. I grew up in the 1960s & 70s. I remember my grandpa's wringer washer, which he filled by heating pots of water on the stove. He wasn't Amish but he was old-fashioned as all get out. When I was little my mom also had a wringer washer, but hers was filled through the hoses attached to the utility tub in the basement. I remember when she was pregnant with my youngest brother and got a modern washing machine and dryer. I guess for whatever reason, that baby brother hadn't seen grandpa on wash day, so he didn't know about the wringer washer. Grandpa stored it in a closet off the kitchen when it wasn't in use. One day when my baby brother was about 4 years old, he went into the neighbor's house to play with her sons who were his age. He came home all excited, telling our Mom she _had_ to get this new style of washing machine the neighbor had! He went on and on about how cool it was. She rolled it out of a closet, hooked a hose up to the tap on the kitchen sink, and you could watch it fill up! He thought that was amazing! But the *best* part was that when it finished running, she took the clothes and put them through between two rolling pins, and it squeezed all the water out! It was adorable and hilarious 😆

[@margochristensen7440]

In this age of Uber materialism and resulting debt, we could use a lot more simplicity, including me.

[@margochristensen7440]

I live not very far from Lancaster PA. Have visited many times to admire the beautiful scenery, eat wonderful food and look at well made quilts, and furniture--of course. I admire and respect them. I dont have to believe the things they do or believe in to appreciate their subculture as hard working people who practice their beliefs. Amish and Mennonite folks make good neighbors. Not one has ever hit me over the head with their Bible to tell me how wrong I am.

[@margochristensen7440]

Permit me to add one more thing I respect. The womens modesty. With our culture of false faces, puffy artificial lips, injected body parts and rather embarrassing exposure, Amish and Mennonite women show the reality of natural beauty. Im not a prude but my mother would never have let me out of the house with a bra strap showing. 'Ladies' didn't do that!

[@darlenesmith1605]

Amen. I love the simplicity and nonmaterialism way of life. Even if you don't have much, we seem to always be trying to keep up with the Jones and comparing what one has to the other. It does cause pride. But on another note, you can be dumb as a rock and not have anything and still be full of pride!

[@josephwiese3937]

Thank you for presenting the Amish in an honest respectful way.

[@shundt100]

My dad grew up Amish (northern Indiana), so all my extended family on my dads side are Amish . .. but I like listening to these videos to see if I learn anything new lol.

[@braveheartrv2946]

I was born and raised in Lancaster Pennsylvania. I missed the Amish. I'm currently living in Tucson Arizona and billing off-grid home. So all of these tips are helpful for me.

[@maryfeist8080]

Hi, I was born in Tucson and have lived near Lancaster for 30+ years. Good luck on your build.

[@galady8632]

This may not be economically feasible but you might want to research propane toilets. About 10yrs ago they were nearly $5000 but over time the price dropped. With recent supply chain issues I imagine prices have increased, along with most home-building supplies. (I never heard of a propane toilet until a friend bought a property with a huge detached garage quite distant from the house. She wanted to move her art studio/classroom area to the garage but needed a powder room. A propane toilet was much cheaper than a second septic tank.)

[@triciamoon3170]

I guess the Amish where i grew up in Michigan were Swartzentruber, they would Never have had tile, couches, appliances, etc. I remember walking in and there was practically nothing but a rocking chair. Of course I didn't see the rest of the house we were just there to buy bread- yum!

[@ellynbernardo5858]

Where in Michigan? Stanwood?

[@triciamoon3170]

@@ellynbernardo5858 my grandparents lived in Gladwin, I don't know exactly how far away the Amish family, the Beechy's, lived from there. That's been about 20 years ago, when I was a kid

[@ellynbernardo5858]

@@triciamoon3170 yes my grandparents live up north too. I looked up Baldwin. It’s not too far away. About halfway in between mt. Pleasant and big rapids. A lot of Amish people. I like them

[@nancyjohnson7147]

My grandparents (my mothers parents) live near a small amish settlement in Central Missouri. As far as I'm aware they are all part of the same community/church. But they varried greatly in what they had in their homes. Some had natural gas or propane fridges and others relied on ice. Those that relied on ice would trade ice for fresh milk with my grandparents. And until my grandparents got to where they had trouble driving they were also drivers for the amish in the area.

[@MooMoo-fw3kh]

I love amish home styles. Practical and beautiful

[@darlenesmith1605]

We live in Tennessee, and have several communities close by. I buy alot of fruits and vegetables from them and freeze them. It is much better food than to open a can. I am also grateful to the Amish, and believe they may very well be the ones to save American when all said and done. Now that we know our own government is paying farmers to destroy crops, peoples like bill gates is buying up all the farmland and on and on. The Amish care about family, not money. So I doubt they will be intimidated to sell or destroy crops. We could all take some lessons from them in many areas. Good job!

[@sheilaraper8741]

Could you by chance name some of the locations so I could maybe visit.

[@darlenesmith1605]

@@sheilaraper8741 there are some in the Rosser community outside of huntingdon, tenn, some in Weasley Co, outside of Mckenzie, TN, and some In Paris tn,. There is a Yoders store in Paris TN, a Yoders store in Weasley, TN, and a small store in Rosser. The one in Rosser is a family house that has a small store with some supplies. All of these can tell you where more are if you are familiar with these areas.

[@tsunamis82]

You are exaggerating about the amount of land Bill Gates has, which is leased out. Google it and find out more and compare his amount that is in use. Perhaps you will be honest enough to edit your comment.

[@lisalovatt7246]

I am from uk and the amish community fascinates me.

[@nyneeveanya8861]

I am not Amish but I know all these things. Most could be found in my grandparents home. The large living area, the oil lanterns, the washer/wringer, the icebox, wood cook stove, the underground storage area, the wood floors. They had electricity put in in the 50’s but plumbing not until the 70’s. By that time they were in their late sixties and were glad not to have to pump or lug water or go out at night to the outhouse anymore. They figured out none of their kids or grandkids had gotten sick from the water in the pipes or having a toilet in the house. My father had one of the propane lights. We always brought it into the home in winter when the power went out. Plenty of light and kept the living room warm.

[@kathleendexter5999]

Sir, I appreciate your explanations of the various homes you’ve visited. They are all beautiful. Thank you for sharing the various appliances that are considered “off grid”. We live in tumultuous times with frequent electrical outages. I’m wed to a 45-year (now retired) hydroelectric dam operator. We have redundant power and illumination resources as he knows best, more than most, how fragile our electrical grid has become. I now know for which I’ll save my pennies!

[@lovepink2619]

My favorite linoleum floor. Grew up with this flooring, very durable and affordable

[@kingscairn]

Me too

[@robinj.9329]

There are the "Church Amish" and the "House Amish". House Amish do not build Churches. But instead take turns hosting their weekly Worship meetings in the Homes of the congregation. Long, wooden benches are hauled from House to house for Church Services. That's why the huge "Common Room" is there...... They have been that way for Centuries.

[@leaguiles6482]

Grew up near Arthur, IL We could learn a lot from the Amish community.

[@troystanley192]

As did I. Where did you grow up? I lived in Arcola and worked at the Dutch Kitchen restaurant in high school. My brother worked as a blacksmith at Rockome Gardens.

[@leaguiles6482]

@@troystanley192 Hammond. I sure miss home.

[@KingArtexerxes]

I would love to have an Amish-like home in the country with one or two green houses and paths to walk with trees to cut down for firewood, and a good water supply. But unfortunately, I need to either win a lotto or be gifted. Neither one likely to happen. God bless you and read His Word daily.

[@americansmark]

A lot of the Amish here in Ohio use solar power now. They actually got me into going solar.

[@nancyl3843]

Very interesting here as well. I so admire these people.

[@peppernation9213]

The way he says the word “HOME”, sounds funny. 😆

[@susi-emily]

It really does. I'm English and it sounds like a really posh English person saying "home".

[@joeschmo7957]

I had a unique experience growing up. Maybe 11 or 12 yo, I had dinner at the home of an Amish family. Thing that I remember best was the homemade vanilla ice cream. We had bought land near them in Northern lower Michigan and they were excited to have new neighbors (although we did not live there, only hunt and fish). Turned out we would call on them when we got the Blazer stuck in the mud or snow they would show up with the tractor. Ended up they buried my parents as they dug graves at the cemetery. I am wondering if I will be the last one of the family to, ah, show up at that location when it is all over. Likely. After dad passed, I remember Mom saying, "well, I just bought more property".

[@nildagivens7320]

I so enjoy your videos. I love the Amish so your videos are not only informative but heart warming to me. Thank you so much!!

[@GOGOSLIFE]

:23 in and I had the exact same kitchen set given to me by my mil, and now my daughter has it. I've seen it around a lot, they must've made millions of them. Peace

[@sheilaratcliff4833]

A funny note: My friends bought a home from the Amish at the Burke's Garden settlement and had it wired for electricity. The family traveled from Radford are to spend holidays together there in Tazewell County. When they decided they were finished, the house was sold to another Amish family and the word was that the wiring was removed! And Tazewell is pronounced like Taz, the Tasmanian devil. Yeah, I watched that video!

[@solidstate9451]

Our newest flooring is linoleum. It's biodegradebal.

[@randybourdon2791]

Always enjoy your videos Eric ! Excellent content.

[@Me2Lancer]

Thanks for your informative post on Amish homes. Surprisingly, I'm familiar with many of the appliances you mentioned. Many were common in the late 40s and early 50s in rural Texas. Looks to me like they are resourceful and use creativity to arrive at answers to their needs. Some of my ancestors moved west from Lancaster County, PA.

[@karenenglish4900]

I thought for sure one item would be the china shonk/cabinet/hutch or a secretary for books and important papers. I remember slipping and sliding on Dawdy's sheen wooden floors. Thanks for sharing. Oh, another thought. As the Dawdy house was built, they started as a basement house for an aunt and uncle, then added the main and second floors. When the rafters went up, I did manage to climb a few. What a tomboy!! Ha

[@AmishAmerica]

That's a good one. China (the dishes, not the cabinet) actually shows up in the other video I mention in this one. I could probably do several more parts on this topic come to think of it! Hey and nothing wrong with some climbing 👍

[@karenenglish4900]

@@AmishAmerica when I was a little girl the Grandmas would give a dish of sorts or hankie for birthdays. I sentimentality have everything.

[@gerlindechristina238]

So sweetly recounted! love it, and also that there would be such natural life styles. thank you Erik

[@lizworkman9967]

Each home hosts church services for the Amish community when it's their turn so they need a large room for all of them. In Ohio, many Amish rent ice lockers for their needs. I worked in amish restaurants and got to know what they were about and their ways.

[@melissakrol3245]

Thanks Eric. Great info I had no idea I needed answers to.

[@mmariemarkel7482]

I really enjoyed your video. This video just happened to pop up in my feed, and I immediately clicked on it because I enjoy all things to do about history and religious studies. The Amish have a fascinating history and religious practices so this channel is just my speed. Thanks for sharing

[@AmishAmerica]

Thank you, glad you found it!

[@waterdoctorrgv]

Fascinating. Please do more.

[@JayP-kd5rc]

Found you very interesting and have subscribed. I have always been interested in the Amish. Thank you very much.

[@ecthelion222]

This was very interesting and informative. I didn’t know a lot of this. Thanks for the info man. 👍

[@bikerdad63]

I have in the past had dealings with the Amish in my area in Lancaster PA through my work. I must say that your videos are so much better then most.most other videos I see I just think to myself that they are so far off the mark.

[@lindacaldwell6251]

We are close to many Amish here in Indiana. Love these people! Hard working folks!

[@TheBlestmomof2]

It all depends upon the bishop. I live in Indiana amongst the Amish community. Here the Amish houses a very nice. They are decorated quite lovely. They have flowers in the yard, pretty siding, matching roofing, etc. Two counties over the Amish aren't even allowed to have colored curtains in their house. They are not allowed to have flowers in their yard or any type of home decor. I also know (because my husband used to haul milk from the Amish to a local cheese factory), that the Amish would basically live in the basement. They would have their gas lights, couches, beds etc, but upstairs would be extremely plain. They're buggies are very pimped out. Purple boas, sparkly lights, stereos with Mass speakers. Don't be fooled. Just like any religion there are good and there are bad. Some of them lie cheat and steal. Some of them molest and rape and beat their loved ones. They have a lot of man-made rules. None of it is biblical. And they like to sell their religion. ( I e Amish furniture, Amish food, Amish made.)

[@Maine307]

we live near the Amish in Unity Maine- Great ocal people! We love visiting and spending at the local store.!

[@deannaschlabach]

This was so well done! Thank you.

[@AmishAmerica]

Glad you liked it!

[@slawomirsokolowski2779]

Some of these homes look really nice! Lots of space, utilised in many practical ways, and the natural beauty of wood - winners for me!! 👍👍

[@kristieshoemake7343]

Your accent fascinates me! Love the long o sound!

[@b.powell3480]

We used to have a servelle natural gas refrigerator!! Worked great, was quiet !

[@marissajay6468]

I love your videos and I would love to hear more about the Amish youth singing and Amish church in their basements!

[@sallywall4385]

Loved all the info.

[@ptaylor4923]

Great video. And I love the larger living rooms. That's the way to go.

[@animerlon]

I found it interesting that when they build a new home, they wire it for electricity for future sale.

[@tammy707]

In Michigan where my friend lives, is a bunch of Amish people. There always looking for refrigerators that come out of RVs. Every time we visited we went to there stores and always call my friend boss. Last time we visited we seen some guys riding bikes, I guess it was just approved.

[@jimmy-et1pm]

If you grew up in the 60's or 70's...a lotta stuff was still manual labor. Wood splitting...snow shoveling..I remember asking my Dad when we were getting a snow blower? He asked when me and my brother were leaving.LOL. My father grew up on a tobbaco...hog...milk cow farm...he used to plow with a mule as a kid. Milk the cows by hand too..20 head twice a day....still has an iron grip too. Love the simpleness of the Amish lifestyle/people....GOOD FOLKS.

[@margaretpiddock455]

Hi, new subscriber from the UK, i have always had an. Interest in Amish life…thank you x

[@countrymudacres]

We purchased an amish house which needs alot of work!! But still hopeful and excited! Reminds me of the second house.

[@Blueskies7775]

I can’t tell if my ears are tricking me, but your pronunciation of “home” is quite interesting! Lol. Great video!

[@claydenlinger2043]

I understand that's a Baltimore area accent. Sorry *Balmer*

[@marilynryan7822]

I’m from Delaware originally ,living in CT. for over 40 yrs. ..that’s the first thing people comment on is my pronunciation of “ home” even now-that pronunciation generally is between Maryland to Pennsylvania

[@carlthornton3076]

Y'all Take Care & Stay Safe!.

[@lesliekendall5668]

Funny that the Amish might need more exercise. But it would be good for anyone recovering from an injury or an elderly family member. I mostly just use candles and oil lamps. If I want to read that bad, I have an LED flashlight. And I'm SO BLESSED to have a sandstone home that stays 20° cooler inside in the summer.

[@curiouslass4280]

Love it! Parts of their homes remind me of mine! I have a large room that is the living room and kitchen area in one. Also linoleum! So easy to clean. I love oil lamps too and have them in mine.🥰

[@tsunamis82]

Be aware that some linoleum can contain asbestos particularly older linoleum

[@kodiwilkinson379]

very good video. It describes our Amish communities around here very well.

[@veulmet]

When you mentioned the bathroom light I almost lost it laughing. Perhaps I shouldn't have mentioned anything but it struck me funny...

[@rickderwitsch]

Great video. More on food producing and preserving . Thanks

[@5DNRG]

This lifestyle kind of reminds me of the increasingly popular co-housing, originally from Denmark in the 70s.

[@neta565]

Interesting to know! I love Amish decor, am very inspired by it.😉

[@Petra44YT]

Gas lamps are cool. I once saw them in a hut in the Alps where we (a couple of volunteers) were to plant trees in the mountain forest. There was this rather large hut where woodworkers used to stay for a couple of weeks before they had cars, as they couldn't have walked up and down every day and still done their work. ... I didn't even realize these lamps were not electric at first! Looked like the common old-fashioned light bulbs to me. A warm, yellowish light.

[@pdet1951]

I live in Lancaster county in Pa, they are great people and I always say that they are professional farmers and have great gardens and they sell there vegetables and great fair prices

[@aileenrivera8992]

Nice video thanks for sharing this information.

[@brianwinters5434]

Nice people the Amish.

[@d1s2l3a4w5]

I bet you could learn lots from these people. Good video.

[@lisaboban]

I like your approach!

[@bonnieikamas1201]

I appreciate your first video that I’ve seen. I live in southern Michigan and have several wonderful Amish friends. I hate to ask them questions.

[@TheSkeetergirl]

Thank you. We have an Amish community south of Chillicothe Missouri. They are wonderful people. I’m always curious about how they live.

[@kathrynlivermore5343]

The Amish homes are quite nice with a very simple living standard. The Amish rules are difficult, and I do not think that I could live in that kind of environment. I like the way you speak with a great voice; you make this information easy to understand and follow. Sending light & Blessings. May your journey be successful with full of rich & loving abundance.

[@francinebissonnette6997]

Merci - t.y. for all new info..much appreciated..onto your next video ..moi, excited 😊 🇨🇦 canada

[@catreader9733]

An advertisement shown briefly in the video begins with a phrase that describes my family's last home: English built, Amish owned. My father was pleased that his Amish neighbor bought his home. My father had built the house and outbuildings for his and my mother's retirement, and he was proud in an acceptable way to find that his construction quality and style met the buyer's approval. We have no family to inherit the house (I am the only descendant, and I live in another state), but I feel comfort in knowing the house and property has passed into the hands of another family who will probably keep it within their extended family.

[@AmishAmerica]

I haven't had the experience yet but it must really be nice to know that when you move on from a home it ends up in good hands. Thanks for sharing this

[@timhickman3407]

Mate you should come to North Devon (England). This is every farmhouse there!

[@manjelos]

My grand mother told me about the life back before WWII. In this time they went in the wintertime to the river or lake and cut the ice. This ice was brought then to kind of underground shelter what was in the earth and also isolated with hay, So, there was ice cream in the summer time. Food, mostly meet was processed in the fall to dry meat, jam and sausages. Potatoes and wheat could stay long and fruit and vegetables was conserved in the glass sealed with wax and parchment paper. Fresh meat was over the year most from chicken

[@invisableobserver]

We can learn so many good things from elderly people, especially lost technology

[@marycallahan1224]

It’s interesting that the amish had church in the home 🏡 that is how they had it in the early Christian days.

[@nancyj5490]

That is how I was raised. The way ministry based out of Ohio has always had fellowships this way around the country and the globe.

[@darlenesmith1605]

And that is where we are going back to also. Many already have

[@kingscairn]

Religious Society Of Friends ( Quakers ) as well

[@johnkashka803]

Great video very informative!

[@AmishAmerica]

Thank you!

[@country_kitty]

The large common areas is because a different home host church services. And they sit males and females separately. The kitchens are large also for this reason to hold tables of food. Also when preserving a harvest from their home gardens often many women will go the home to help.

[@Happy-uy5wc]

There is a company called 'Dutch Crafters' who make Amish furniture. It looks lovely and well built. I imagine that they may make it without any power tools... but I'm not sure.

[@lynn6221]

A friend of mine in Wisconsin has the Amish build his shops and barns. He says that no one can compare to their workmanship

[@poodlegirl55]

I live in Mattoon Illinois, next town over from Arthur and Arcola. I do a lot of my shopping at Amish stores. The Aldi in my town always has Amish women shopping there. White vans pulling white trailers bring them to Mattoon.

[@MariaN-wf1jh]

BEAUTIFUL CLEAN HOMES LOVE IT WISH I HAD IT