The Amish cling to their Old World ways.
The Amish are a well-respected part of American culture. Originally concentrated in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana, they are known for their fine workmanship, attention to detail and Old World ways. Over the last 200 years, the Amish have quietly contributed to the American way of life with the development of a classic style of handmade furniture. Lancaster County, Pa., is considered to be the prime location for finding quality Amish furniture. Does this Spark an idea?
History of the Amish
The Amish church has its origin in Switzerland. According to ReligiousTolerance.org, a group of Anabaptists broke away from the church, looking to hold onto more traditional beliefs. Led by Jakob Ammann, the Amish, as they came to be known, came from three areas: the German-speaking parts of Switzerland, the Alsace region of France and the Palatinate area of Germany. In the early 1700s, many of them emigrated to Pennsylvania to escape religious persecution. Over the years, the Amish churches in Pennsylvania have divided into different sects over doctrine disputes. There are now eight different subgroups, ranging from traditional to progressive. As of 2008, there were 227,000 Amish in the United States and Canada.
Amish in Pennsylvania
According to the Pennsylvania Dutch Country Welcome Center, as of 2008, there were 25 different Amish, Mennonite and Brethern church groups in Lancaster, Pa., each with slightly different traditions and interpretations of the Bible. They still speak in the language of their forefathers--a Pennsylvanian version of German, also referred to as Pennsylvania Dutch. They are not as materialistic as most of modern society. The Amish send their children to a one-room schoolhouse until they are through the eighth grade. Then, the children begin to learn the farming or crafting businesses at which their parents are making a living.
Furniture-Making Process
Handcrafted Amish furniture has been highly regarded for years, as their reputation for quality in both materials and workmanship has grown. By a stroke of fortune, the early Amish settled in the middle of some of the finest cherry wood in the country, so finding quality wood from which to build fine furniture was easy. The tradition of using locally grown wood continues today. Amish furniture first became popular as a collectible in the 1920s and 1930s, when American folk art was first discovered. According to the Anabaptist Mennonite Online Encyclopedia, early types of Amish furniture were the Jonestown School--painted blanket chests with flowers on three panels, and the Soaphollow School--brightly painted furniture in gold, black and red. Both of these schools of design were created in Pennsylvania and can still be found today. Most Amish furniture shops use small tools which are powered by generators and batteries, along with hand tools, to create an Old World style with great attention to detail.
Types of Furniture
Amish furniture falls into several major types. The Mission style continues to be popular, with its exposed joinery and straight lines. Shaker style is plain, yet elegant. Queen Anne furniture is the exact opposite, with much ornate molding, exaggerated foot detailing and carved ornamentation. Lesser-known styles are Southwestern, Rustic, Cottage and Beachfront. The Amish also are known for their outdoor furniture.
Characteristics
The major characteristic of Amish furniture is the attention to the grain in the wood. Each piece is hand-selected, and great care is taken to show the wood grain to its best advantage. Therefore, no two pieces of furniture look exactly alike. The most preferred types of wood are oak, quarter-sawn oak, cherry, maple and hickory. Other characteristics of Amish furniture are completion by handcrafted processes, five-piece English dovetail drawer boxes and steel ball bearing drawer glides.
Furniture shopping in Lancaster, Pa.
As of 2008, the Pennsylvania Dutch Country Welcome Center counted more than 25 furniture stores and seven outdoor furniture stores in Lancaster, Pa. You're certain to find a fine, hand-crafted piece of furniture just right for your home. You can also custom-order a highly individual piece, or pick a stain to match your existing furniture. Amish furniture is also available online at a variety of websites. These sites are not run by the Amish, but rather by retailers who have an established relationship with the Amish furniture manufacturers and who respect their way of life.
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