My husband & I have been going to Holmes County which is the Ohio Amish country many times since 1990 & still go. We prefer going to the smaller Amish run businesses that when you walk in don't have any electric. The ones located out of the small towns on the farms are the best to me. They will have gas lit lights or ones that run off of solar panels. Bowman's harness shop that I always go to outside of Bunker Hill go to uses air-powered tools.
With the exception of our family heirloom furniture, sofa & chairs/recliners, we've bought most of our hardwood furniture from these places ... 6' x 4' (opens to 9') dining room table, end tables, chest of drawers, night stands. I've also bought other wooden made items they make like towel holders, quilt racks, etc.
The Amish have moved into the counties to the west & north of me. We see more of them each year. A lot of them make their living being carpenters working for lumber yards building. Our garage was built by an Amish work crew (2005) that came out of Indiana who also came back & resided my barn.
We've always had Mennonites in our area. Some of these Mennonites are called German Baptists & are more strict in their clothing, cars, churches, etc. Even though I've seen them my whole life, I could tell when I met the Mennonites who live in Holmes County they were differences. Some of the Mennonites from Holmes are former Amish who decided to leave that faith for whatever reason, but they still have strong family ties with the Amish. They tend to lean towards the "Amish" in what they do. Hope that makes sense.
They have a long history that began in the early 1500's around Reformation. This is the link the to Behalt, which is their Heritage Center & if you are ever there, I suggest visiting:
The Amish & Mennonite Heritage Center – Holmes County, Ohio
General visitors info:
History, Traditions & Local Lore
