Amish Country Books at Fisher's Houseware

Amish Country Books at Amish Houseware and Fabrics by Teresa Knudsen Wednesday, November 03, 2011

If you are looking for gifts or holiday presents, or just a book for no special occasion, a store in the area of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, can give you ways of getting away from the television and looking at older Americana reading choices for children, tweens, teens and adults.

Fisher's Houseware and Fabrics is found on Georgetown Road, in Bart, Pennsylvania. As you drive up to the store, you may see Amish horses and buggies. Inside, you will find an assortment of items for the home, garden, and farm. Plain people work in the store.

On this November day, with the chilly weather, we have a great excuse to sit in a comfortable chair and read while looking out onto the green and gold leaves.

Here are some reading ideas:


The Fourth Reader for Advanced Students by William H. McGuffey.
Editions 1836 to 1853.
Dating from the time of one-room schoolhouses, the McGuffy readers were published in reading levels, with the goal of teaching people to read so they could read the Bible. The link provides samples for the graduated readers. It's fun to look at these with children from the 21st century to see how children in the 19th century were learning to read. At Fisher's, $12.29 and sales prices.

Rules of a Godly Life
This pamphlet was originally in German "Regeln eines Gottseligen Lebens."
Joseph Stoll translated the pamphlet into English. Here is one selection:
"Be not too ready to believe everything you hear, and do not repeat everything you hear, lest in this way, you lose a friend and gain an enemy. When you hear a complaint or gossip about another, thoroughly investigate the actual circumstances before offering your criticism or passing your opinion." (Page 14).
$1.98 at Fisher's. Published by Raber's Book Store in Baltic, Ohio.

True Story David Eschs'Experience of the 14 Day Hunt for the Cox Boys, in the Wilds of the Allegheny Mountains.
Written by David and Fanny (Kagany) Esch in Juniata County, Pennsylvania.
This pamphlet describes the April 24, 1856 search for Joseph and George Cox.
Why would a family choose to live in the wilderness areas of Pennsylvania? Here is the answer given by David Eschs:

"...probably the freedom suggested by these wild mountain peaks, and thundering streams, had captured him body and soul after his life in the rather cramped quarters of the Fatherland."
Published by the Gordonville Print Shop in Pennsylvania. Fisher's price of .69.

Pricing as of Summer 2011. Prices are always subject to change.

Resources:

McGuffy Readers and Samples. 1836 Version.

Raber's Book Store
2467 CR 600
Baltic, Ohio 43804

Gordonville Print Shop
3119 Irishtown Road
Gordonville, PA 17529-9534
(717) 768-8410

Pennsylvania Dutch Country: Fisher's Houseware and Fabrics

Fisher's Houseware
1098 Georgetown Road
Bart, PA 17503
Phone:(717) 786-8121