Lancaster

The city of Lancaster is the seat of Lancaster County and is worth a visit for its historical buildings and the central market. Guided walking tours lasting 90 minutes are available. Five miles south of downtown Lancaster off Route 222 an interesting visit may be made to the Hans Herr House at 1849 Hans Herr Drive. This restored home, the oldest in the county, was the home of Hans Herr who with a small group of Mennonites escaped religious persecution in Germany in the early 18th century. (717-464-4438) Another interesting stop would include Wheatland, the home of President James Buchanan, located at 1120 Marietta Avenue. This mansion is elegantly decorated with the furniture gathered during his years in Washington. Roads spiral out in every direction from historic downtown Lancaster and weave through the countryside and villages where the Amish have established their homes and communities in and amongst our modern society. If you truly want a glimpse into their way of life and see how it neighbors ours, I would recommend you spend a day exploring the roads that transect the acres upon acres of farmland. Depending on the time of year and the stage of harvest, you will see them plowing their land with the aid of large draft horses or families congregating en masse in the fields to manually pick the crops. Drive through the villages whose shops often sell their handmade products and share the road with canvas, black-topped, horse-drawn buggies and children walking home from school. If you didn’t have an opportunity to stop at a visitors’ center, ask the locals about the weekly markets and inquire as to which ones are largely attended by the Amish. This is a wonderful way and opportunity to meet the Amish personally as they often man their own stands selling produce, pretzels, boxes, baskets, carvings, and quilts.The Amish are not a sightseeing attraction, but rather a community that displays a commitment to its religious beliefs, upon which it bases its way of life. For a better understanding and appreciation of this culture, there are some staged exhibits such as the Amish Farm and House on Route 30 east of Lancaster (717-394-6185), the Amish Village in Strasburg (717-687-8511), and the Weavertown One-Room Schoolhouse in Bird-in-Hand (717-768-3976). Also, the Ephrata Cloister, 632 W. Main Street in Ephrata (northeast of Lancaster on Route 222) provides guided tours of several of the religious commune’s original Germanic-style buildings. (717-733-6600) However, after visiting the region and many of the advertised locales, we found the Amish Country Homestead by far the best and the most comprehensive and rewarding in terms of a glimpse and understanding of the Amish. While exploring Lancaster County, as well as becoming acquainted with the Amish community, those interested in things that tick will want to visit the Watch and Clock Museum located 10 miles west of Lancaster in Columbia. Take Route 30 west to Route 441 and then go left on Poplar Street. This museum has a collection of about 8,000 timepieces and clock-related items.