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Illinois Amish Heritage Center: A Window To Early Amish Culture
he Illinois Amish Heritage Center (IAHC), located three miles east of Arthur, IL, and six miles west of Arcola and Interstate 57, is planning for an exciting 2022. The site was open for tours two days a week in 2021, and tours of the historical buildings will continue in 2022. The Miller Amish German School was moved to the IAHC in 2021. In addition, the 1879 Hershberger/Miller barn is being moved to the site in 2022, along with the purchase of additional land. The Sheep to Clothing to Quilts event and popular Steam Threshing Days will return to the IAHC in 2022. Exhibits were developed in the Schrock house during the past year, and will be expanded this year to the other historical buildings. The Illinois Amish Heritage Center continues to draw a great deal of interest from visitors from around the country as well as through its many social media outlets. The 1879 Hershberger/Miller Barn The Hershberger/Miller barn was constructed three miles west of Arthur, in 1879. This large, five-bay, Pennsylvania-style barn features the typical forebay overhang on the east side, and a drive-in threshing floor on the west side. On the lower level are stalls for six draft horses, pens for various livestock, and the milking bay, along with grain and feed bins. The upper level is open for hay and grain storage. The barn was dismantled in February and the timbers were shipped to the facilities of Trillium Dell Timber Works in Galesburg, IL, for restora-
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tion or replacement as needed. A traditional barn-raising is planned for the fall. This will be coordinated by Trillium Dell staff and will involve interested public and Amish from the local area, as well as other Amish areas. The framework will go up first, followed by the roof rafters and roof, and then the siding. The interior of the restored barn will include the original grain bins, stalls, and other features from the original barn. The addition of a working livestock barn at the IAHC will allow the site to feature various types of farm animals and farming activities related to them. That will bring the site one step closer to an envisioned Amish living history farm. Steam Threshing Show
