Someplace we never saw before today.

Elkhart County 4H Fairground
Goshen, IN

We've been in this area numerous times and Bill and I are always interested in learning about the culture and history of the area.  Today was no exception.

We drove over to Shipshewana to tour the Menno-Hof.  I was surprised that this center was open on Monday.  The name represents a combination of the name Menno for Menno Simons, leader, and Hof, German for farmstead.  

Of the 24  exhibits, the first 4 had videos.  Good Fences Make Good Community was a 13 minute video introducing the Anabaptist Mennonites, Amish and Hutterites.  

The Anabaptist movement began in 1525 in Switzerland.

The dungeon had a 5 minute video about the imprisonment of the Anabaptist who were tortured and executed.  They believed the church should be free from state control.

The Anabaptist divided into three groups which created the Mennonites, Hutterites and Amish.  

William Penn was responsible for the migration to the New World in 1683 which is Pennsylvania today.

The Amish were the first Anabaptists to settle in Indiana in 1841.

Click on the photo to enlarge it.

There is a tornado theater that has a seven minute video.  The room shakes and you can feel the wind blowing.  

My favorite exhibit was the Amish room.  It was furnished like a typical Amish home.  I didn't realize that they did not use wall to wall carpet or curtains.  

It was very interesting and gave us a better understanding of the lives of the Mennonites, Amish and Hutterites.  Most of the 200,000 Amish live in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana.  

The building was built in less than a week.  It is put together with wooden pegs.

The grounds are beautiful.

There is a walking path around the lake.

Is this pole on the fire plug so they can find it in the winter? I think it might be time to head south.

The Mennonites are in 66 countries with a population of 1,250,000.  More than half of these are non-white members.

Hutterites live in communal living with common ownership of property.  They are located in Canada, United States and Japan.  

I now will not be surprised when I see some that dress differently, or drive cars or power equipment or see a teen using a cell phone.  

We should have visited the Menno-Hof many years ago when we first came to the area.  

We made a quick stop in Kroger's for some bread and milk.  Since it was near 4 pm we stopped at Lux's for linner.  Another great meal, but my Reuben came with a bowl of soup and another side.  I was stuffed.  Bill had a burger and his came with a bowl of soup and a side too.

I decided it was early and I wasn't going outside so I thought I'd get my shower early.  About the time I got ready to jump in the shower, there was a knock at the door.  Happens every time doesn't it.

Diane Pena was at the door.  She came to say they were leaving in the morning.   I saw the Dewitt's come back in and park next to us.  The Patten's are down from them.  Ben and Pat pulled out this morning.  I also saw Ron and Mary leave today.  It looks like the Montana stragglers  from the rally are starting to leave.  

Turtle Safely......