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Shipshewana, Indiana, Menno-Hof, The Amish & Mennonite Story
Experience the history and heritage of Northern Indiana's often misunderstood Amish and Mennonites. Travel through five centuries of fascinating history, from their origins in Switzerland, to their arrival in America and their lives in present day Indiana. Centered amid park like grounds, the complex was built by Amish and Mennonite craftsmen during an old fashioned barn raising.
History unfolds as you explore a 17th century sailing ship and reple.icas of a 19th century print shop and meeting house. Recent additions include a life liek tornado experience, a glimpse into a Norethern Indiana Amish home and a 16th century martyr room.
Gift shop features handcrafted items by local Amish and Mennonites.
mennohof.org/260-768-4117
One mile north of US 20 and SR 5, just south of downtown Shipshewana/June-August: Mondy-Friday 10 am to 7 pm. Saturday 10-5/September-May Monday-Saturday 10-5.
Ruthmere
The 20th century was full of grand promise in 1908 when Albert and Elizabeth Beardsley built their elegant Beaux Arts mansion of brick and limestone at the confluence of the St Joseph and Elkhart Rivers. Once the centerpiece of Elkhart society, Ruthmere has been lovingly restored to offer a window into the Gilded Age. As you tour rooms lushly appointed with period furnishings, take note of one of a kind details and world class fine art and decorative arts such as Tiffany lamps, Rodin sculptures and vintage autos.
Ruthmere also hosts frequent concerts and seasonal events and operates the Havilah Beardsly house, home of Elkhart's founder.
Ruthmere.org/888/287/7696
302 Beardsley Avenue, Elkhart
Tours on the hour tuesday-Saturday 10 am to 3 pm April-December
and Sunday 1pm-3pm
For more local Elkhart County attractions and things to do visit amishcountry.org.
Old Bag Factory
You might find yourself spending a leisurely morning or afternoon in the galleries, specialty shops, artisan booths and studios in this renovated 1890's bag factory turned artisan complex. It celebrates the creativity of some of Indiana's most talented artisans with handstitched quilts in contemporary designs, handcrafted furniture and high fired pottery.
You'll also find antiques primitives, new and vintage pianos, jewelry and other unique finds in this spacious red brick building just a short drive from downtown Goshen.
After shopping, relax over lunch at the Trolley Cafe or sample delicious baked treats from Rolling Scones. On site event space retains classic original architectural detail and seats up to 600.
OldBagFactory.com/574/534/2502
1100 North Chicago Avenue/corner of Indiana & Chicago Avenues, two blocks north of US 33. Open daily except Sundays & Holidays 9 am to 5 pm.
Amish Acres Historic Farm & heritage Resort
Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the 80 acre restored Old Order Amish farm offers room to roam and packages that include some of the regions best entertainment, food and lodging.
Surrounded by pastoral beauty, visitors explore 18 restored and historical buildings, browse six shops, take wagon and buggy rides, sample the best wines from Indiana and Lake Michigan shore vineyards in the Wine Tasting Loft and feast on the famous Threshers Dinner in the century old barn restaurant. Afterward, enjoy a musical at The Round Barn Theatre. The Nappanee Inn and Inn at Amish Acres provide quiet, country stays and complimentary continental breakfasts.
Amish Acres.com/900-800-4942
Along US 6. 1 1 mile west of downtown Nappanee
Open Daily 10:30-5pm
Wednesday-Sunday, 11 am-5pm April, May, November & December
Das Dutchman Essenhaus
You'll be happy that Indiana's largest and friendliest famly-style restaurant and bakery also offers 89 comfortable guest rooms at Essenhaus Inn & Conference Center within easy walking distance of the world-famous restaurant. you may need a nap after one of the hearty, all you can eat Amish style feasts at Das Dutchman Essenhaus! Platters and bowls filled with traditional family favorites come domplete with a beverage and a generous slice of made from scratch pie (over 30 varieties are available each day).
The Village Shops showcase specialty gift items, souveniers, quilts, furniture, home decor and more. Old fashioned hospitality in this wholesome environment includes family friendly activities such as horse draw carriage rides, miniature golf, a childrens playground and bike rentals all in a peaceful park like setting. They'd love to be your host!
On US 20, 1 mile southwest of Middlebury/i-80/90 exit 107)
Restaurant and Bakery: Monday-Thursday 6 am to 8 pm
Friday and Saturday 6 am to 9 pm
Village Shops: Monday-Saturday 9 am to 8 pm (May-September)
Winter hours vary. (Restaurant, Bakery & shops closed on Sunday; Inn & Conference Center always open).
Elkhart, Indiana, national new York Central Railroad Museum
Elkhart, Indiana, national new York Central Railroad Museum
Recapture the days when the railroads were the undisputed symbol of progress, freedom and adventure. Hands on exhibits, toy trains, and full size locomotives and rolling stock bring railroad history to life at the National New York Central Railroad Museum. A visit to the museum takes you on a journey to the past. At the same time you can experience the present because the museum is adjacent to the former main line of the New York Central now controlled by Norfolk Southern. These tracks are some of the businest in America. For more than 150 years, Elkhart and the New York Central and its successor lines have been a key link between East and West. A visit to the National New York Central Museum will let you discover how important America's railroads were to the industrial growth of our county and how vital they still are today. More information can be found at www.nyccrmuseum.org. Hours: 10-4 Tuesday-Sunday. Admission, Adults $5, Senior 61 and over $4, Children 4-12 $4, 3 years and under free. National New York Central Railroad Museum, 721 S Main Street, Elkhart, Indiana 46516, 574-294-3001.Elkhart, Indiana, Midwest Museum of American Art
Elkhart, Indiana, Midwest Museum of American Art
Elkhart is home to an impressive not for profit public foundation that preserves a collection of 19th, 20th and 21st century works at the Midwest Museum of American Art. Founded in 1979, the museum has collected more tha 2,500 works in its permanent collection with at least 800 objects on view at any given time. Some of the noteworthy artists represented int he collection include, Robert henri, George Luks, Grandma Moses, Norman Rockwell, Thomas Sully, and Andy Warhol. The largest collection of Overbeck Art Pottery can be found at the museum along with the largest collection of Rockwell lithographs. In all over 175 years of American art history is surveyed. In addition to its permanent collection, the Midwest Museum of American Art hosts several changing exhibitions each year. More information can be found at www.midwestmuseum.us. Hours re 10-4 pmn tuesday-Friday, 1-4 pm Saturday=Sunday. Admission Adults $4, Seniors $3, College, $1, grades K-12 $7 Family (3 or more) Midwest Museum of American Art, 429 S Main Street, Elkhart, Indiana, 46516, 574-293-6660.Elkhart, Indiana, RV/Mobile Home Capitol of the World and Hall of Fame…
As the nations manufacturing center for recreation vehicles and manufactured homes, Elkhart is the natural home for the RV/MH Hall of Fame Museum, and Library. The Hall of Fame was launched in 1972 to recognize those who made outstanding contributions to these vital industries. in 1990, the museum was opened just south of downtown Elkhart. By 2007, a new facility was opened on Executive Parkway near the Elkhart East tollway exit just off County Road 17. This unique facility houses numerous vintage RV's from early camping trailers of the 1920's to 1930's "house trailers" (precursors of today's namufactured homes) to modern RV's with virtually every modern convenience. Other memorabilia such as camping assessories, historic advertising, and RV publications are here too. There's also a photographic archives covering the entire history of both industries, including photos of every Hall of Fame inductee since the beginning. For more information go to rvmhhalloffame.org. 21565 Executive Parkway, Elkhart, In 46514, 574-293-3466 or 800-378-8694 Hours: monday - Saturday 9 to 5 pm. Admission, Adult $8, Seniors, $6, Age 26 and under, $3 Groups of 14 or more, $6 each.
“Time Was” Museum-Downtown Elkhart
"Time Was" Museum-Downtown Elkhart "Time Was" Museum is located above a circa 1899 retail building and housed in two, seven room apartments. The "Time Was" Museum might satisfy some of your curiosity about the past, and offers a look back at the changing City of Elkhart. If you are a genealogist, the City Directories from 1860 to the present, will be of great help to find where your relatives lived and worked. For the postcard enthusiast, the collection of 500 postcards of Elkhart and nearby communities is an exciting experience into the past. The museum features photos of all downtown structures together with the individual histories of the occupants from 1880 to date. For the researcher, there is information on almost every subject of Elkhart's history from A to Z, the Atherton Club to Ziesel's Department Store, and everything in between--all found in catalogued notebooks or files. History books written in1874 along with Atlases, maps, and other historical memorabilia including local newspapers back to 1856, local industrial publications and advertising memorabilia are available to peruse. Artifacts from local businesses beginning in 1800 through the World War II years are available including many photographs of old homes of Elkhart. Groups must call for appointment in advance. Hours are by appointment. "Time Was" Museum is located at 125-A N Main Street, Elkhart, In 46516. 574-293-6005
Quilt Gardens along the Heritage Trail in Elkhart County, Indiana, May 30th to October 1, 2012
Quilt Gardens along the Heritage Trail in Elkhart County, Indiana, May 30th to October 1, 2012 The ONLY experience of its kind in the world! One million glorious blooms, 19 supersized quilt-inspired gardens, 18 handpainted quilt themed murals and one incredible flower carpet... 7 unique and welcoming communities are host to the Quilt Gardens, Bristol, Elkhart, Goshen, Middlebury, Nappanee, Shipshewana and Wakarusa, all in Northern Indiana. Please check out the website, quiltgardens.com or call 800-377-3579 for more information. The Quilt Gardens along the Heritage Trail is a FREE flexible, self-guided adventure you can enjoy at your own pace annually. The Quilt Gardens are an ever-changing patchwork that are perfect for return visits! Maps are available at each site. New for 2012! The first and only autumn season flower carpet, made entirely of mums, the diva of fall flowers. See this jewel toned crescendo of color (all 6,500 square feet!) September 19-29 along the RiverWalk in Downtown Elkhart's Arts & Entertainment District.
What is the Heratige Trail?
It's a clockwise loop marked with wayfinding signs to guide you year-round! Voted USA Today Reader's Choice and named one of the nations Most Scenic Drives by the editors of LIFE(r), it's the perfect guide for your trip! A FREE audio CD enhances your drive by telling the area's history with personal stories and fun facts. (While the Quilt Gardens are located along the Heritage Trail, they are not featured on the CD.) Pick up your Heritage Trail CD, map and Amish Country Travel Guide at the Elkhart County Visitor Center located at 219 Caravan Drive, Elkhart, In. Immediately off Exit 92, I-80/90 Indiana Toll Road.