Geauga Amish History Center

Geauga Amish History Center Our mission is to engage our communities and enrich our faith in Jesus Christ by collecting and presenting Anabaptists artifacts.

In 1891, Simon Mast became the first Amish bishop in Geauga County. As church districts get too large (normally between ...
05/13/2026

In 1891, Simon Mast became the first Amish bishop in Geauga County. As church districts get too large (normally between 35 to 40 families), they divide to form a new district. By 1930 there were 5 districts; by 1960 there were 18; and by 1990 there were 50. Today, there are over 160 districts that also includes Trumbull, Portage and Ashtabula Counties. The estimated Amish population of this community is 22,000. The first photo shows our almost finished attempt at connecting our current church districts back to Simon Mast's original one. Sort of like a family tree that shows the different branches. The second photo is of a chaise lounge featured here at the History Center that was a wedding gift to Simon Mast's son Jacob in 1912.

🌎Our Visitors from Around the World🌍48 states and 46 countries shown pinned on our canvas map on the museum wall:)
04/23/2026

🌎Our Visitors from Around the World🌍

48 states and 46 countries shown pinned on our canvas map on the museum wall:)

What does a mallard duck nest have to do with the Amish History Center? Not much, but we are happy that she's decided to...
04/02/2026

What does a mallard duck nest have to do with the Amish History Center?
Not much, but we are happy that she's decided to have her brood in the flowerbed in our front yard:)
There are 12 of them and mama faithfully covers them up before she leaves every afternoon to feed.
If our calculations are correct, we should see a little duck army around the 4th week of April.
We are also looking forward to engaging more with our friends on this platform!
Stay tuned for more 😀

Happy Easter everyone 🐣

We were honored to have Erik Wesner pay us a visit in the 2nd week of December. Erik remains one of the most reliable an...
12/22/2025

We were honored to have Erik Wesner pay us a visit in the 2nd week of December. Erik remains one of the most reliable and accurate sources of information on Amish life and culture. He began the website Amish America in 2006, a smorgasbord of facts, news updates, photos and blogs from Amish communities across America. He also runs a page and Youtube channel under the same name.
When meeting Erik for the first time, it's easy to understand why he is so well integrated in the Amish culture and has many friends within the community. He shows a respect for different cultures that invites respect in return.
Highly recommended to check out his work!

10/27/2025

IT RETURNS! 🧀

A long standing Middlefield tradition returns June 12-14, 2026 to be held in charming Middlefield, Ohio! Stay tuned for event schedules, information and fun!

Hans Rothenbuhler was born and raised in Switzerland. In 1950 he arrived in Brewster, Ohio to answer an ad looking for a...
09/26/2025

Hans Rothenbuhler was born and raised in Switzerland. In 1950 he arrived in Brewster, Ohio to answer an ad looking for a Swiss cheesemaker. In 1956 he and his wife, Ann, founded Middlefield Cheese, now known as Rothenbuhler's. Hans tragically died from complications of a skiing accident in Colorado in 1983 at 59 years old.
Hans and Ann Rothenbuhler were well-known and well-liked among the Amish community. The photo is of him in 1959 with Amish siblings who lived in the home where The Craft Cupboard is now located, on the corner of Rt 608 and Nauvoo Rd.

A group of staff members, local and international, from Camp Asbury in Hiram. We were able to provide buggy rides from ...
07/07/2025

A group of staff members, local and international, from Camp Asbury in Hiram. We were able to provide buggy rides from the History Center to the Amish schoolhouse down the street.
It is always inspiring to meet young people involved in community!

A wonderful group of people in today who are attending and/or performing in the Voices of Lithuania Concert in Cleveland...
06/26/2025

A wonderful group of people in today who are attending and/or performing in the Voices of Lithuania Concert in Cleveland this weekend. Lovely people, we enjoyed them so much!

Occasionally, we hear the question, "why do the Amish men not have mustaches with their beards?" This is one of those cu...
06/23/2025

Occasionally, we hear the question, "why do the Amish men not have mustaches with their beards?" This is one of those cultural things that have been with the group so long that the original decision to do without the mustache has largely been forgotten.
In Europe during the French Revolution, many armed forces wore mustaches as a requirement to serve. The Anabaptists, staunch pacifists, began shaving theirs in order to differentiate themselves from the military and have continued to do so to this day.
What began as an intended, though unspoken, statement evolved into, "We've always done it this way", a refrain not uncommon across many cultures.

05/22/2025

Opinions, please😀 What do you guys think?

05/16/2025

2025 marks the 500th year of the founding of Anabaptism. The term 'Anabaptists' was used during the reformation to label a group of people from Switzerland who called themselves the Swiss Brethren.
The name is Latin and means re-baptized or to be baptized again, referring to the Swiss Brethren's belief that baptism should be an adult's choice, reflecting a conscious acceptance of Christ. These people had been baptized into the Catholic Church as babies and were now being baptized again in their new faith, thus earning them the term, 'Anabaptists'.
Today, the word covers a diversity of people descended from the Swiss brethren, falling into 3 main groups; the Amish, the Mennonites, and a lesser known branch, the Hutterites, who live in the western United States.

Address

15848 Nauvoo Road
Middlefield, OH
44062

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 2pm

Telephone

+14406820606

Website

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