Berlin, Ohio: Amish and Mennonite Central
Even though the Amish and Mennonite communities have a wide array of belief systems, they co-exist peacefully and often help each other out when a new barn needs to be raised or when celebrating the exchanging of vows, where gatherings of 1000 people will attend. These religious sects will go to such lengths to keep peace with their neighbors that they voluntarily pay an extra 40 US Dollars per year per family to help keep the local highways maintained because of past complaints by the public that their horses and carriages do extra damage to the road ways. They have been known to not even press charges against those who wrong them legally because of their strong belief in God’s Providence for anything that happens and because of their forgiving spirits.
Residents in these central Ohio communities will often keep their doors unlocked, and many don’t even use locks at all. They live a more peaceful and less materialistic existence. I felt as if I were back in the 19th century while I was taking a three-hour backroads tour of their communities. This tour is offered by Amish Country Tours, and takes place in a 15-passenger van. My tour guide/driver was a Mennonite (many of their sects are allowed to drive and have electricity). He took us through twelve-plus miles of back road areas to see real life in action, including an Amish version of Wal-Mart, and let us meet a blind gentleman who runs a general store, but can make brooms with his hands, using a specialized machine!
Schrock’s Amish Farm and Village itself includes guided tours of an authentic Amish home, train and buggy rides on the grounds, and houses several stores which sell authentic Amish goods. One of the stores is Dutch Heritage Woodcrafts, where solid handmade oak and cherry furniture are available for purchase. At Gramma Fannies Quilt Barn, hundreds of locally made quilts and wall hangings await new homes to be appreciated in. It’s Christmas, even in summertime, at Tis the Season, Ohio’s largest year-round Christmas shop.
Many lodging opportunities are available in Berlin, but I stayed at Hannah’s House. This beautiful bed and breakfast has the look and feel of a mansion from the 19th century, but the home has only been in existence for just over a decade. Yet inside this home is a variety of antiquated furniture from centuries’ past. The home contains bedrooms that aren’t numbered, but have designations like David’s Room, Queen’s Room, and Hannah’s Room. The Amish Country Inn contains amenities like a health/fitness club, swimming pool, plus more rooms: 50.
The Dutch Harvest Restaurant offers affordable Amish-style menu selections for your palate. While dining at the restaurant, if you ask for a Flasch Mit Brodt, the server will then inquire what kind of sandwich you want. You may desire an Anah Shtuft (side dish) to go with your main course, or Mane Shtuft.
Contacts:
Schrock’s Amish Farm and Village: One mile east of Berlin at 4363 State Route 39. Open April thru mid-November, but the stores are open year round. Schrock’s: 330-893-3051. Gramma Fannies: 330.893.3232. Dutch Heritage Woodcrafts: 330.893.2211. Tis the Season: 330.893.3604 For step-on guide service or group reservations: 877.893.3232.
http://www.realamishexperiences.com/farm.cfm
Amish Country Tours: same address as above. 330.893.3232. Tickets cost around $23, but you’ll get your money’s worth! http://www.realamishexperiences.com/Tours.cfm
Hannah’s House. A mile west of Berlin on Ohio State Rd. 39/County Rd. 201. 330.893.2368 or 800.329.9434 http://www.hannahshouseretreat.com
Amish Country Inn and Dutch Harvest Restaurant. A mile west of Berlin on Ohio State Rd 39/County Rd. 201. Inn contact: 330.893.3000 or 800.935.5218. http://www.realamishexperiences.com/ACI.cfm Restaurant contact: 330.893.3333. http://www.realamishexperiences.com/DHR.cfm
More Amish-related information for the Berlin area can be accessed at: www.amish-r-us.com
