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The Wisconsin Wood Shed Amish Tours
On the “Motor Buggy”
Regularly scheduled in Augusta - Take an Amish Tour
Monday through Saturday - See our Amish Tour page for more
information
Augusta, the living link with the past
through the visible authentic lifestyle of the Amish. Both horse-drawn
buggies and the latest model automobiles share the same road.
The Amish came to America well over 250 years
ago and have been in Augusta since 1978, - we have over 150 families. Amish
have changed very little in their beliefs and practical way to life. For the
most part, they are living the lives of our great and great-great
grandparents.
Adhering to the belief that they should not
conform to the world (Romans12:2), they dress simply with modest homemade
clothing. Men, after marriage, wear beards but no mustaches. Women wear
prayer bonnets as a reminder to be continually in an attitude of prayer
throughout the day, also to be submissive to their husbands. Men wear dark
suits, suspenders, coats with lapels, white shirts, and broad-brimmed hats.
Plain cloth in blue, brown, grey, purple or green make up women’s dresses
which are further characterized by full skirts, long sleeves and high necks.
Now on the drive of the Amish settlement, you
won’t see established church buildings-a custom evolved form being
persecuted in their native land of Switzerland during the early years
following the protestant reformation. Meeting in homes, their services are
often lasting 3 hours. Men and women are separated and sit on backless
benches. The services are in High German.
You’ll see the Amish schools, which are
one-room schools, taught by Amish. Children attend from 1st grade thru 8th
grade and then their school years are finished.
The Amish in our area are the old order Amish
– They have no cars, telephones, electricity, or other modern conveniences.
Our tour through the countryside will take you past common sights of plowing
or harvesting with a two or four horse team. A black wagon hauling hay,
corn, or logs can also be seen.
Notice on the tour that their gardens are
immaculately manicured, usually with a colorful array of flowers framing the
borders. Also look for barn and house raisings and winter ice cutting and
skating (depending on the season).
You’ll see road signs at the end of their
driveways for eggs, maple syrup, noodles, bunnies, etc. – feel free to stop
back – but please no pictures of them or while on the farm - it is their
custom to not be photographed.
We sure hope to see you on the tour.
Jodi Lazar
Tour Guide
The Wood Shed
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