Sep
12
10:30 AM10:30

Amish Education

  • Illinois Amish Heritage Center (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Step back into the classroom and experience what education was like in a traditional one-room Amish schoolhouse.

The Illinois Amish Heritage Center will host Amish Education for a second year on Saturday, September 12, from 10:30 AM–12:30 PM at the IAHC Living History Farm between Arcola and Arthur, Illinois.

Held inside a restored 1920s-era one-room schoolhouse, this immersive program gives guests a firsthand look at how Amish children have been educated historically and how many of those traditions continue today.

What to Expect

The school “session” will begin with traditional elements including:

  • Singing

  • Bible reading

  • Prayer in both English and German

  • Roll call

Guests will then participate in lessons and activities covering:

  • Mathematics and problem solving

  • Reading

  • Spelling

  • Illinois history

  • German language

Participants will also have the opportunity to share memories from their own elementary school days, including experiences from those who attended one-room schoolhouses themselves.

The program will be led by a retired Amish schoolteacher and supported by instructors with experience in Amish history, German language, and traditional singing.

Event Details

Date: Saturday, September 12
Time: 10:30 AM–12:30 PM
Cost: $25 per adult, ages 13+
Lunch: Bag lunch included
Registration: Pre-registration is required

To register, contact Rhonda Rhodes (Yoder):

Email: rhodesr1968@gmail.com
Phone: (217) 273-7803

All proceeds from the event benefit the Illinois Amish Heritage Center.

Location

The Illinois Amish Heritage Center is located just off I-57, approximately nine miles west of Arcola on Route 133 and three miles east of Arthur on Route 133.

Learn more at www.illinoisamish.org or follow the Illinois Amish Heritage Center on Facebook.

The Illinois Amish Heritage Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the preservation, understanding, and appreciation of the culture and heritage of the Amish people in Illinois from 1865 to the present.

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Sep
18
6:30 PM18:30

Evening At The Barn

  • Illinois Amish Heritage Center (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Evening At The Barn

Friday, September 18
Illinois Amish Heritage Center – Arthur, Illinois
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Spend a relaxing evening in Amish Country with friends, family, and neighbors at the Second Annual Evening at the Barn. Enjoy live music, refreshments, and the peaceful atmosphere of the Illinois Amish Heritage Center campus as we gather for a night of community and entertainment.

Event Highlights:
• Live music by Mackville
• Complimentary cookies, popcorn, and drinks
• Family-friendly outdoor atmosphere
• Beautiful barn and countryside setting
• Opportunity to gather with friends and enjoy an evening under the stars

Please bring your lawn chairs.

Free Event – Everyone Welcome!

For more information: 217-578-3868

We look forward to welcoming you for an evening of music, fellowship, and community at the Illinois Amish Heritage Center.

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Oct
23
6:30 PM18:30

Storytelling At The IAHC

  • Illinois Amish Heritage Center (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Storytelling At The IAHC


Friday, October 23
Illinois Amish Heritage Center – Arthur, Illinois
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Gather around the fire and enjoy an evening of stories, laughter, and community at the Illinois Amish Heritage Center. Whether you love listening to tales from the past, sharing your own experiences, or simply enjoying a cozy autumn evening, Storytelling at the IAHC is an event for all ages.

Event Highlights:
• Storytelling from featured local storytellers
• Open mic opportunities to share your own stories
• Bonfire gathering under the evening sky
• Complimentary popcorn and apple cider
• Family-friendly atmosphere filled with heritage, tradition, and community

Pull up a chair, warm up by the fire, and experience the timeless tradition of storytelling. From humorous tales and personal memories to local history and folklore, every story helps keep our community's heritage alive.

Everyone is welcome to attend, listen, and participate.

More details, including storyteller announcements and event times, coming soon.

Be sure to follow the Illinois Amish Heritage Center website and social media channels for updates.

We hope you'll join us for an unforgettable autumn evening at the Illinois Amish Heritage Center.

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Nov
13
6:30 PM18:30

German Spelling Bee

  • Illinois Amish Heritage Center (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

German Spelling Bee


Friday, November 13
Illinois Amish Heritage Center – Arthur, Illinois
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Put your language skills to the test and celebrate the rich heritage of the Amish and German-speaking communities at the Illinois Amish Heritage Center's German Spelling Bee.

Held inside the historic German Schoolhouse, this unique event invites participants of all ages to compete in a fun and educational spelling competition featuring both German and English words.

Event Highlights:
• German spelling bee competition
• English spelling bee competition
• Separate divisions for adults and children
• Hosted inside the historic German Schoolhouse
• Fun, family-friendly atmosphere
• Opportunity to learn about the language traditions that shaped our region

Whether you're fluent in German, studying the language, or simply looking for a unique challenge, this event offers a fun way to connect with local history and culture while testing your spelling skills.

Parents, grandparents, students, and language enthusiasts are all encouraged to participate or cheer on the competitors.

Be sure to follow the Illinois Amish Heritage Center website and social media channels for updates. Join us for an evening of friendly competition, learning, and heritage at the Illinois Amish Heritage Center.

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Dec
15
2:00 PM14:00

Old-Fashioned Christmas

  • Illinois Amish Heritage Center (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Celebrate the season with an Old-Fashioned Christmas at the Illinois Amish Heritage Center!

Join us on Tuesday, December 15 for a heartwarming holiday experience inspired by the simple traditions of Christmases past. Guests will enjoy an evening filled with festive music, historic charm, a delicious home-cooked meal, and timeless holiday traditions in the beautiful setting of the Illinois Amish Heritage Center.

Whether you're looking to create a new holiday tradition or simply slow down and enjoy the spirit of the season, this special event is one you won't want to miss.

More details, including registration information and the full event schedule, will be announced soon. Stay tuned!

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Jul
31
to Aug 1

Steam Threshing Days

  • Illinois Amish Heritage Center (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Steam Threshing Days

Friday, July 31 & Saturday, August 1
Illinois Amish Heritage Center – Arthur, Illinois

Step back in time and experience historic farming traditions during Steam Threshing Days.

Event Highlights

  • Oats cut, bound, shocked, and threshed using 19th-century methods

  • Live demonstrations powered by a steam-engine-driven threshing machine

  • Additional historic harvest activities and agricultural demonstrations throughout the weekend

This immersive event showcases the hard work, skill, and innovation of early farming practices and brings agricultural history to life for all ages.

More details will be shared closer to the event.
Be sure to watch the Illinois Amish Heritage Center website and digital media for updates.

Looking Ahead at the IAHC

The Illinois Amish Heritage Center will continue to bring history to life with smaller monthly programs throughout the year, offering hands-on learning and immersive storytelling. Upcoming events include:

  • Amish Education

  • A German Spelling Bee

  • Storytelling

  • The return of the popular 2025 Old-Fashioned Christmas, held in the one-room schoolhouse

Event dates and details will be announced—watch the IAHC website and social media pages for updates.

COMING IN 2026

Beginning in May 2026, the IAHC Living History Farm will be open to the public every Saturday, May through October, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

  • Guided tours led by knowledgeable docents

  • No reservations required

  • Admission: $10 per person

Also slated to open in the fall of 2026 is the new Visitor’s Center & Amish Museum, which will house The Story of Anabaptism and the Amish—the original exhibition first showcased in Arcola in the 1990s and later at Rockome Gardens in the 2000s.

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Jun
13
10:00 AM10:00

All About Horses

  • Illinois Amish Heritage Center (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

All About Horses

Saturday, June 13
Illinois Amish Heritage Center – Arthur, Illinois

Spend the day exploring the important role horses have played in Amish life, farming, transportation, and tradition. Through engaging demonstrations and hands-on experiences, visitors will gain a deeper appreciation for the connection between horses, agriculture, and community life.

Event Highlights

• Horse therapy demonstrations presented by Serenity Meadows
• Live horseshoeing demonstrations
• Blacksmithing and horseshoe forging
• Horse training demonstrations
• Buggy rides around the grounds
• Red Bantam chicken interaction
• Petting zoo
• Tours of historic Amish homes
• Living History Farm experiences
• Food available for purchase

This family-friendly event offers a unique opportunity to experience horse-centered traditions while exploring the Illinois Amish Heritage Center campus and its historic buildings.

Bring the whole family for a day of history, hands-on learning, and unforgettable experiences centered around one of the most important animals in Amish culture.

For additional event details and updates, visit the Illinois Amish Heritage Center website and follow IAHC on social media.

Campus Open: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Admission
$10 Adults
Children 12 & Under Free

Looking Ahead at the IAHC

The Illinois Amish Heritage Center continues to bring history to life through educational programs, special events, and immersive experiences throughout the year. Upcoming programs include:

• Steam Threshing Days
• Amish Education Programs
• German Spelling Bee
• Storytelling Events
• Old-Fashioned Christmas in the Historic Schoolhouse

Event dates and details will be announced throughout the year. Be sure to watch the IAHC website and social media pages for updates.

COMING IN 2026

Beginning in May 2026, the IAHC Living History Farm will be open to the public every Saturday, May through October, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

• Guided tours led by knowledgeable docents
• No reservations required
• Admission: $10 per person

Also slated to open in the fall of 2026 is the new Visitor's Center & Amish Museum, which will house The Story of Anabaptism and the Amish—the original exhibition first showcased in Arcola in the 1990s and later at Rockome Gardens in the 2000s.

View Event →
May
2
9:00 AM09:00

Sheep to Yarn to Quilts

Sheep to Yarn to Quilts

Saturday, May 2 | 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
📍 Illinois Amish Heritage Center – Arthur, Illinois

Experience the full journey from sheep to finished textiles at this family-friendly, hands-on heritage event.

Event Highlights

  • Sheep & alpaca shearing demonstrations

  • Wool washing, dyeing, spinning, weaving & quilting

  • Live demonstrations by the Charleston & Champaign Spinners and Weavers Guilds

  • Amish quilting and coverlet-making demonstrations

  • Turn-of-the-century laundry demonstrations using historic equipment

  • Traditional farm skills including chair caning, soap making, rope making & gardening

Family Activities

  • Pony cart rides

  • Petting zoo with farm animals and household pets

  • Try your hand at milking a goat

Food & Treats

  • Farmer’s breakfast available starting at 7:00 a.m. (pancakes, liverwurst & grilled sausage – fee applies)

  • Lunch options including grilled lamb kabobs, hamburgers & fried foods

  • Homemade baked goods from a local Amish vendor (bread, cookies, cakes & pies)

Historic Tours & Exhibits

Explore all historic Amish buildings on site, including:

  • 1865 Yoder House

  • 1870s Schrock House

  • 1879 Hershberger-Miller Barn

  • 1860s Yoder Workshop

  • 1930s German Schoolhouse

Displays include early Amish clothing, quilts, coverlets, and rare historic textiles dating back to the 1830s.

Vendors & Shopping

Located in the hay loft of the 1870s barn, featuring:

  • Handmade soaps, jams & jellies

  • Popcorn, crocheted items, herbs & flowers

  • Hand towels, books, paper crafts & more

  • Beekeeping display and tissue-paper flower making

Looking Ahead at the IAHC

The Illinois Amish Heritage Center will continue to bring history to life with smaller monthly programs throughout the year, offering hands-on learning and immersive storytelling. Upcoming events include:

  • All About Horses

  • Amish Education

  • A German Spelling Bee

  • Storytelling

  • The return of the popular 2025 Old-Fashioned Christmas, held in the one-room schoolhouse

👉 Event dates and details will be announced—watch the IAHC website and social media pages for updates.

Coming in 2026

Beginning in May 2026, the IAHC Living History Farm will be open to the public every Saturday, May through October, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

  • Guided tours led by knowledgeable docents

  • No reservations required

  • Admission: $10 per person

Also slated to open in the fall of 2026 is the new Visitor’s Center & Amish Museum, which will house The Story of Anabaptism and the Amish—the original exhibition first showcased in Arcola in the 1990s and later at Rockome Gardens in the 2000s.



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Apr
10
7:00 PM19:00

First Annual Hymn Sing in the Hayloft

First Annual Hymn Sing in the Hayloft

Friday, April 10 | 7:00 p.m.
📍 Illinois Amish Heritage Center – Arthur, Illinois

All are welcome to a community a cappella gospel hymn sing held in the hayloft of the historic Herschberger-Miller Barn.

Come to sing. Come to listen. Come experience the unique acoustics and atmosphere of hymn singing in a barn loft, where voices fill the space in a way that can only happen in a setting like this.

Ground-floor seating will be available for those who are unable to climb the stairs.

This is a free event, and everyone is warmly welcome to attend.

For more information, please email: ruth.moreland@gmail.com

We hope you’ll join us for this special evening of music, heritage, and community.

Looking Ahead at the IAHC

The Illinois Amish Heritage Center will continue to bring history to life with smaller monthly programs throughout the year, offering hands-on learning and immersive storytelling. Upcoming events include:

  • All About Horses

  • Amish Education

  • A German Spelling Bee

  • Storytelling

  • The return of the popular 2025 Old-Fashioned Christmas, held in the one-room schoolhouse

👉 Event dates and details will be announced—watch the IAHC website and social media pages for updates.

Coming in 2026

Beginning in May 2026, the IAHC Living History Farm will be open to the public every Saturday, May through October, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

  • Guided tours led by knowledgeable docents

  • No reservations required

  • Admission: $10 per person

Also slated to open in the fall of 2026 is the new Visitor’s Center & Amish Museum, which will house The Story of Anabaptism and the Amish—the original exhibition first showcased in Arcola in the 1990s and later at Rockome Gardens in the 2000s.



View Event →