In this final decade of the twentieth century, a life-and-death struggle is being played out in Lancaster County: between land speculation and land stewardship, between material wealth and moral worth, between unrestrained growth and "the ties that bind." The Amish are at the center of the conflict, trying to maintain their unique community in the face of increasing encroachment from the outside. Randy Testa stands as a witness to their struggle, telling "the story of a people on the verge of conflagration". [from the publisher]
Photo album with marbelized cover and 40 plastic sleeves. 12 contain photos and notes related to Lancaster's Bicentennial celebration. Handwritten on card on first page: "June 10, 1992/ These documents from the City Safe were taken to The Conservation Centre for Art, Historic Artifacts in Philadelphia for restoration and preservation. Here are before and after pictures of
a. The Lancaster Corporation Book, 1742
b. The Charter of the City of Lancaster, 1742
c. The Plot Plan of the City of Lancaster, (?)
...Jarvis "(signature)
On page 14, handwritten on a card: "This was the metal box in which the Charter was stored until someone framed it and exposed it to the light."
On page 19: "This is the Plot Plan which needs to be studied. It has the drawing of gentleman X on the reverse side. Who drew this?"
Chapters: EARLY STARTS (the first attempts at organized education) // NINETEENTH CENTURY IDEALISM (the effort to design and build the perfect school) // THE AMISH ONE-ROOM SCHOOLHOUSE // THE TEACHER // SCHOOL BOOK // TEACHING APPARATUS // DESKS AND CHAIRS // RULES AND REGULATIONS
Chapters: For goodness' sake --Gifts from God --Graven images --A woman's rold --Ben --Daily bread --Rum Springa --A tip of the hat --Laundry at dawn --The haircut --Barn raising --House church --What's in a name? --That wonderful home cooking --Andy --Amanda --Instruction in wisdom --Bed courtship --Rachel --News from the budget --Noah.
Summary
Through personal stories and photographs the author reveals the Amish beliefs, values, and traditions, and conveys their view of the outside world.
