Description:

The Mennonite Information Center, located strategically in Lancaster County’s center of Amish and Mennonite communities, is a good starting point to learn more about the lifestyle, beliefs, and culture of the Amish and Mennonites who came out of Switzerland’s Protestant Reformation.

The Amish way of life is unique and one way to start to explain that is to watch the three-screen multi-media showing “Who are the Amish?” There is an exhibit that you can walk-through and a bookstore where you can purchase books on Amish or Mennonite cultures. From there you might be interested in taking a guided back-road tour with a Mennonite guide, riding in your car, who will tell you more of their heritage and point out interesting businesses to visit that are operated by the Amish…like a homemade soap shop, a wooden toy shop, an Amish grocery store, a miniature horse farm or an Amish quilt shop.

Another interesting facet is the Biblical tabernacle reproduction that is on site at the Information Center. It is a full-size reproduction of the Biblical tabernacle that was in the wilderness. The history and spiritual significance of this tabernacle is explained by lecture tours as a place for God to dwell among his people while the children of Israel were wandering in the wilderness led by Moses. The presentation of the significance of the tabernacle, the furniture inside, and the Ark of the Covenant in the Holy of Holies has been received well from people of different religious and cultural backgrounds.

Prices of the tabernacle tour are $8.50 for adults and $6.00 for children. The car tour is $53 for 2 hours; $17 for each additional hour. The center’s hours from March –November are 10am – 3pm. Closed Sundays and Holidays.