This Remote Living Heritage Museum Is Home To The Oldest Amish House In Illinois
By Elizabeth Crozier|Published February 08, 2019
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Elizabeth Crozier
Author
An Illinois transplant who grew up and went to school in Indiana for 22 years, Elizabeth holds a BFA in creative writing and has enjoyed traveling across the country and parts of Europe. She has visited half of the states, as well as parts of Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean, and regularly travels home to the Hoosier State to see friends and family. With more than five years of writing experience, Elizabeth’s articles have been featured on several websites, and her poetry and short stories have been published in multiple literary journals.
Few people know that there is an Amish museum developing in Illinois. Near the towns of Chesterville and Arthur, this living historic farm features special events throughout the year, and it is home to the oldest Amish house in the state.
Learn all about the simple way of life when you attend an event at this unique attraction. Scroll on for more details.
Preserving the state's Amish culture, the Illinois Amish Heritage Center has been around in some form since 1994. It began as an interpretive center that featured a short film and exhibits and has since grown into so much more.
This living Amish museum aims to help people understand and appreciate this simple way of life. The tools, skills, and practices used today go back to 1865.
Two historic Amish houses are preserved on-site. The oldest is the 1865 Moses Yoder House and the other is known as the Schrock House, which was built in 1882. Both were previously stored behind Yoder's Kitchen and were moved to the museum site in 2016.
The Illinois Amish Heritage Center is growing and developing as we speak. In 2019, it will add 2.5 acres and begin construction on a new museum that will span 10,000 to 14,000 square-feet. Next year, an old barn and Amish school will be brought to the site.
All sorts of events take place throughout the year to showcase the Amish way of life. The main dates to pencil in are August 2-3, 2019 and October 18-19, 2019. The summer festival is the Annual Steam Threshing Show and fall brings the Harvest To Home Event.
If you want to visit this fabulous farm before the museum is ready, you'll have to stop by for an event. Keep up with details on the center's website (link below).
The Illinois Amish Heritage Center is located at 284 East Illinois 133, Arthur, Illinois 61911, and you can get more details on its website and Facebook page.