The Amish in America:
New Identities and Diversities
An International Conference
June 7–9, 2007
The Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies
Elizabethtown College
Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania 17022
Conference registration is now closed.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Purpose: To educate and equip scholars and service providers to better understand the Amish communities of North America.
The conference is open to the public. Continuing Education Units are available to attendees.
The conference brochure includes general information and an abbreviated schedule of conference events.
CONFERENCE PROGRAM
The conference will include four plenary sessions and 35 concurrent sessions. More than 90 scholars and service providers from the United States, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, and Canada will make presentations.
The conference program includes a detailed schedule with presentation titles, presenter names, and abstracts.
PLENARY SESSIONS
"Understanding the Amish in 20th Century America"
Paul S. Boyer, Ph.D.
Merle Curti Prof. of History Emeritus
University of Wisconsin
The author of numerous books on American history and an esteemed historian, Boyer is editor-in-chief of the 940-page Oxford Companion to United States History.
"Who Are the Real Amish? New Identities, Growing Diversities"
Steven M. Nolt, Ph.D.
Associate professor of history and chair of the history
and political science department at Goshen College
Nolt is the author of A History of the Amish, and coauthor of Plain Diversity: Amish Cultures and Identities.
"Completing the Plain Puzzle: Old Orders in Canada and Latin America"
Royden Loewen, Ph.D.
Professor of history and chair of Mennonite Studies
University of Winnipeg, Canada
The author of numerous books, Loewen’s special interests include ethnic history; rural social history; history of gender and family and Anabaptist history.
"The Plain People and Genetic Medicine: What Can the Plain Communities Teach Us Now?"
D. Holmes Morton, M.D.
Cofounder and medical director
The Clinic for Special Children in Strasburg, Pa.
The recipient of numerous awards for the discovery and treatment of diseases among Old Order populations, Dr. Morton received one of the coveted “genius” awards from the MacArthur Foundation in 2006.
CONCURRENT SESSIONS
The 35 different concurrent sessions will cover topics related to Amish history, linguistics, medical service, health, music, history, education, extension services, agriculture, safety, family and gender roles, nutrition, nursing, diversity, technology, genetic studies, government relations, mental health, media relations, mutual aid, ex-Amish and newcomers, new settlements, Old Order publications, population growth and social change, and much more. A special session will address the Nickel Mines School tragedy.
Presenters speaking in the concurrent sessions include Donald B. Kraybill, Alan R. Shuldiner, Karen Johnson-Weiner, Erik Puffenberger, Kevin Strauss, Bill Field, James Cates, Dennis Murphy, Diane Zimmerman Umble, Steve Scott, Denise Reiling, Jill Korbin, Mark Louden, Joe Donnermeyer, Harold Cross, John Cross, Simon Bronner, and David Weaver-Zercher.
OPTIONAL PRE-CONFERENCE TOURS
Anyone who registers for at least one day of the conference may also register for one of two tours of Lancaster County. The tours, which run concurrently, will leave the Elizabethtown College campus at 8:00 am and return at approximately 3:30 pm on Thursday, June 7.
Each tour will include a meal in an Amish home. Reservations are limited to 25 persons per tour and are available on a first come, first served basis. Cost of the tour is $50.
AGRICULTURAL AND BUSINESS TOUR
The Agricultural and Business Tour is now FULL.
MENTAL HEALTH AND MEDICAL SERVICES TOUR
The Mental Health and Medical Services Tour
is now FULL.
CONFERENCE REGISTRATION
Fax
Fax your registration form and payment information to:
(717) 361-1443
Mail
Send your registration form and payment to:
Amish Conference 2007
The Young Center
Elizabethtown College
Elizabethtown, PA 17022
LODGING
Area Hotels and Motels
Area Inns and Bed & Breakfasts
If you prefer on-campus housing, please reserve via the conference registration form.
LOCATION AND TRAVEL
Elizabethtown College is located in northwestern Lancaster County near Lancaster's Old Order Amish and Mennonite settlements. The printable campus map shows the location of the Young Center and other college facilities.
Elizabethtown is approximately 8 miles from Hershey and 20-25 miles from Lancaster, York, and Harrisburg. Regional attractions include the Ephrata Cloister, Hans Herr House, Landis Valley Museum, HersheyPark, Chocolate World, ZooAmerica, National Civil War Museum, and Gettysburg’s Civil War battlefields.
BY CAR
Elizabethtown is approximately 90 minutes from Baltimore, two hours from Philadelphia, three hours from Washington, D.C., and four hours from New York City and Pittsburgh. The college web site includes detailed driving directions.
BY TRAIN
Amtrak’s Keystone Service, which runs between Harrisburg and New York City by way of Philadelphia, makes stops in Elizabethtown, as does the Pennsylvanian, which runs between Pittsburgh and New York City. Visit Amtrak's web site for schedule and fare information.
BY AIR
Harrisburg International Airport (HIA) is approximately 20 minutes from Elizabethtown. Commercial shuttle service between the airport and Elizabethtown is not available, but taxi service and car rental agencies are available at the airport.
The Young Center will provide shuttle service between HIA and Elizabethtown College only for those who select on-campus housing. To use the service, you must contact the Young Center by June 1. Send an e-mail to amish2007@etown.edu or call (717) 361-1467, and include your name, the name of your airline, your arrival date and time, and your departure date and time.
QUESTIONS
If you have questions about the conference, please send an e-mail to amish2007@etown.edu or call (717) 361-1470.
