A Modest Mennonite Home

Rating:
Summary: Not just a guidebook to one specific 18th century house
Review: Sure, this book was designed to explain the origins of the Hans Herr House built near Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in 1719. But it includes historical background about the Mennonites from their beginnings in Switzerland and the German Palatinate through their immigrations to North America in the early 1700s. Aspects of typical daily life are detailed as well, such as building construction techniques, farming, furnishings, foods and cooking procedures, tools, and religious practices. Even though the rooms can be imagined by reading the descriptions and studying the color photos, a floor plan would have helped those readers who haven't yet visited the house. Still, anyone with Mennonite or Pennsylvania German roots should probably read this slim volume someday.

One chapter follows the ownership of the property, which remained in the hands of Herr descendants until 1969, when the Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society was able to acquire it. There was plenty of work to do; the structure had been unoccupied for more than a century. Restoration even included matching the existing mortar with a mixture of cow manure and yeast! Through the work of the society and many hours of volunteer labor, the site is now on the National Register and offers tours and educational programs. You can visit it on the web at ...

Rating:
Summary: Not just a guidebook to one specific 18th century house
Review: Sure, this book was designed to explain the origins of the Hans Herr House built near Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in 1719. But it includes historical background about the Mennonites from their beginnings in Switzerland and the German Palatinate through their immigrations to North America in the early 1700s. Aspects of typical daily life are detailed as well, such as building construction techniques, farming, furnishings, foods and cooking procedures, tools, and religious practices. Even though the rooms can be imagined by reading the descriptions and studying the color photos, a floor plan would have helped those readers who haven't yet visited the house. Still, anyone with Mennonite or Pennsylvania German roots should probably read this slim volume someday.

One chapter follows the ownership of the property, which remained in the hands of Herr descendants until 1969, when the Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society was able to acquire it. There was plenty of work to do; the structure had been unoccupied for more than a century. Restoration even included matching the existing mortar with a mixture of cow manure and yeast! Through the work of the society and many hours of volunteer labor, the site is now on the National Register and offers tours and educational programs. You can visit it on the web at ...