come explore our
AMISH COMMUNITY
The Amish chose our area for the rich
and fertile farmland, low real estate
prices, and the lay of land. They also
chose this area because it was far from a
city of any size, which might influence
their young people to the worldly ways
– and yet close enough to a small town
that had exactly what they needed.
A bank, post office, grocery store,
hardware store and a feed mill.
The Amish in this area have rapidly
grown in population in the past years,
now numbering over 200 families. The
average family will have as many as
10 – 14 children. They are divided
into several church districts. Each
church district is led by a Bishop, two
ministers, and a Deacon. Most of the
Amish are farmers, but many have
taken up a craft or trade to make their
living.
The Amish way of life revolves around
the family and their church community.
Quilting bees, barn raisings, and
Sunday services in the home are just
16
a few of the ways the Amish keep the
family unit strong.
The Amish school their children in their
own one room schoolhouse where all
eight grades are taught. The children
start school at age 6 and will usually
complete all of their schooling by the
time they are 13 or 14. No higher
education is allowed as this might lead
to losing them to the English culture.
The three basics, reading, writing, and
arithmetic are all that are required in the
Amish schools.
Amish children running home after a day at school
Next, you will find a self-guided driving
tour through our Amish community just
south of Tomah!