The farmland north of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in Lawrence County is Amish country, a place where nearly 2,000 old-order Amish people live on farms that surround the quaint towns of New Wilmington and Volant. This settlement, the third largest Amish community in the United States, has long been a popular tourist destination where visitors hope to get a glimpse into the peaceful and provincial life of the Amish.
The Amish community in Lawrence County is made up of 13 Amish schools and 14 church districts, with each district averaging 75 adult members plus their children. Most of the Amish people in Lawrence County are agricultural or dairy farmers and can often be seen plowing their fields with horses or tending livestock.
The Lawrence County Tourism Promotion Area offers a self-guided tour of the beautiful Amish countryside around Volant and New Wilmington, guiding guests along the same trails that horse carts travel on a daily basis. In addition to having the opportunity to experience this unique lifestyle, visitors can also stop by the shops in Volant and New Wilmington or by a variety of roadside stalls to buy some Amish products to take home as souvenirs.
Visitando New Wilmington, Pennsylvania
Located five miles east of Route 60, New Wilmington was first established in 1797, built about 1824, and became a city in 1863, although the Amish did not settle in the area until around 1847.
The Tavern Inn, located in the heart of the village, was once part of the Underground Railroad during the Civil War, and Wilmington is home to Westminster College. Local Amish attractions include the Amish auction house, school, and cemetery.
There are several restaurants in New Wilmington, as well as many craft, antique and specialty stores, and you can even find an Isaly’s restaurant here, one of the last remaining in the country. Accommodation can be found at various bed and breakfasts, or in the Prime Outlets area in Grove City. Hitching your horse and parking are free here too.
In addition to visiting Westminster College, which has one of the only copies of the 1999 “New Wilmington History” book in the world, tourists can also immerse themselves in Amish activities such as harvesting cow’s milk, churning butter, and learning how to make clothes.
Visiting Volant, Pennsylvania
The town of Volant was originally a small mill town that was incorporated in 1893. Located next to New Wilmington, halfway between Erie and Pittsburgh, Volant almost became a ghost town in the late 1970s due to the mill’s closure. , but it was revived and restored in the early 1980s by various entrepreneurs.
Today, the main street of Volant is a place where Amish carts mix with cars. The mill is now a farm, antique and specialty shop, but plans have been announced to restore the historic Volant Mill to working condition.
Other stores along Main Street offer Victorian collectibles, homemade crafts, Christmas specials, ceramics, music-related items, and contemporary fashions. Volant is also home to many restaurants and other specialty stores, such as rugs and rugs.
