Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
paration (from the outer community) is necessary as the “outside” is inherently dis-
tracting. The Amish live by an ethereal concept called
gelassenheit,
very roughly
translated as “yielding” or “submission to an authority.” This is part of the
Ordnung
(“Order”), the unwritten collection of social mores to which each member must sub-
scribe.
There are many kinds of Amish. Old Order Amish are more conservative, but bit
by bit more progressive communities are taking hold. For example, some will ride in
automobiles, although they still won't drive them; some will use electricity, if it isn't
theirs;someownproperty,andsoon.AllAmishstillcultivatetheethicofhardwork,
thrift, and community support.
Though most people recognize the Amish by their black horse-drawn carriages,
more widely discussed are the dictums regarding electricity. Most, but not all, elec-
tricity is banned in Wisconsin Amish communities. Electricity plays a significant
role in Wisconsin Amish history for one big reason: milk. America's Dairyland un-
derstandably has rather stringent rules pertaining to milk storage and transport. The
Amish, if they wanted to conduct commercial operations, had to be up to code, im-
possible without electricity. After years of negotiations, agreements were reached.
WISCONSIN AMISH TODAY
Populationestimatesaretoughtofixprecisely,butit'scloseto8,000statewide.Most
arestillconcentratedinVernonCounty—LaFargeandOntarioarethelargestcenters
for Amish agriculture in the state.
The Amish are particularly well known for their Old World artisanry. Bent-hick-
ory furniture is a staple of regional shops, as are the meticulously handcrafted quilts.
Home-based bakeries and other cottage industries are found along every country
road.
Wildcat Mountain State Park
isthebest“secret”stateparkinWisconsin.Itain'tfornoth-
ingthat the Wisconsin Department ofNatural Resources hascalled this little parkoneofits
“undiscovered gems.” It isn't exactly empty, but it's amazing how often it's not full.
