Your Buggy Doesn't Look Like My Buggy
When I started doing research for my series Hearts of Middlefield, I didn't know a whole lot about the Amish. I had been to Holmes County a couple of times, but never to Middlefield, even though I live thirty minutes away. I was suprised to find out how many differences there are among the various Amish settlements. A major example are the buggies. Ohio Amish, which include settlements in Holmes, Geauga, Trumbull, and Ashtabula counties, all use the same style buggy.
This picture was taken in the Middlefield Cheese store, which is attached to the processing plant.
Rear view of a buggy in Middlefield.
Ohio buggies are always black, always the same style. They might have differing amounts of reflective tape on them (and trust me, this tape is useful when driving through Amish country at night) but other than that, they all look the same.
In contrast, Lancaster buggies differ in both style and color.
Lancaster buggy. Photo courtesy of http://members.tripod.com/amishbuggy/
There are also differences in buggies from Indiana, Maryland, and other Amish settlements.
If you're interested in buggies (obviously I am!) the Amish Buggy site is filled with pictures and information about this mode of transportation. Over the next few posts I'll highlight other differences between the Amish settlements. The important thing to remember is while there are superficial differences among the settlements, all Amish hold the same devotion to faith, family, and community.
'Til next time,
Kathleen
This picture was taken in the Middlefield Cheese store, which is attached to the processing plant. Rear view of a buggy in Middlefield. Ohio buggies are always black, always the same style. They might have differing amounts of reflective tape on them (and trust me, this tape is useful when driving through Amish country at night) but other than that, they all look the same.
In contrast, Lancaster buggies differ in both style and color.
Lancaster buggy. Photo courtesy of http://members.tripod.com/amishbuggy/There are also differences in buggies from Indiana, Maryland, and other Amish settlements.
If you're interested in buggies (obviously I am!) the Amish Buggy site is filled with pictures and information about this mode of transportation. Over the next few posts I'll highlight other differences between the Amish settlements. The important thing to remember is while there are superficial differences among the settlements, all Amish hold the same devotion to faith, family, and community.
'Til next time,
Kathleen
Thank You Kathleen for the buggy lesson. I remember when I went to Lancater a Loooooooooong time ago,there are diffrent buggies for diffrent things. Courting is just one.
I love learing more about their way of life. Some things they do are very hard and yet they have a peace about it.
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Thanks a buggy-load for your interesting update on Amish living. I can't explain my "drive" toward the Amish and their life style. I feel like a school girl in my quest for information and when I have a rare occasion to be in their presence, I think childish things, like, 'Oh! How I'd love to be friends!' More than their manner of simplicity, I admire their kind and generous nature, their respect for people and their supreme work ethic. To me, it is a Bible and Christlike concept that defines them and sets them apart. Perhaps it is God's Righteousness that calls me to them.
Thank you for allowing me to say that
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Kathleen,
How interesting things about buggies, wow, that is something else. I agree with Jan, the Amish living draws me to them also, something about it, maybe it is the peaceful way of life or something.
Thank you for this.
Debbie
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Hi Kathleen, I an in Michigan and live about 30 miles from a small Amish Community. They all seem to have the Black Buggies. I don't know of any of them having any different. Of course they do have the closed buggies which are more for families and then there are the open buggies for Courting!
We had an Amish guy in our Nursing Home where I work about two years ago from there and their families are so very, verey nice. They come to our town now and then to do shopping in our local stores.
I am also looing forward to reading one of your books. I haven't had the privilege to do so as of yet. Looking forawrd to soon.
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Thank you Kathleen for the information on the buggies. I live 30 miles from a small Amish Community here in Michigan.
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Thank you for posting pictures of the Buggies and providing information about the differences.
I believe I read that one district of Amish have open Buggies during warmer weather---kind of like a Ford Mustang Convertible for the Amish! I believe I also read that not all Buggies are black but depending on the district can be other colors.
Again, I appreciate the information that you have provided.
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