Get ready for a day packed with hands-on fun, history, and heartwarming experiences at the Illinois Amish Heritage Center's annual “Sheep to Yarn to Quilts” event! Whether you're a history buff, a craft enthusiast, a foodie, or looking for family-friendly fun—this event has something for everyone!

WHAT TO EXPECT
From the moment you arrive, you’ll be immersed in a rich celebration of traditional Amish life. Watch live sheep and alpaca shearing, learn how wool is transformed into yarn, try your hand at weaving and quilting, and explore the charm of early pioneer life through interactive demonstrations and immersive tours.

Farmer’s Breakfast Begins at 7:00 AM

Start your day early with a hearty Amish breakfast featuring:
Pancakes
Grilled sausage
Old-fashioned liverwurst
(Available for a small fee)

 General Event Hours: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Admission: $10 for ages 12+ | Kids under 12: FREE!

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FULL TIMELINE OF ACTIVITIES

7:00 AM – Farmer’s Breakfast Opens
Enjoy traditional Amish morning fare to fuel up for the day!

9:00 AM – Event Officially Begins!

 Sheep & Alpaca Shearing Demonstrations

 Wool Washing, Dyeing, and Spinning into Yarn

 Quilting, Loom Weaving, and Spinning Wheel Demos by CU Spinners & Weavers Guild

 Soap Making, Rope Making, Goat Milking & Chair Caning

 Old-Fashioned Laundry Demos using antique hand washer and wringer

 Gardening Demos

9:30 AM – 3:00 PM – Interactive Children’s Activities

Try basic sewing and hand-weaving

Pony cart rides, petting zoo, and traditional games

All Day – Historic Building Tours
Explore fully restored Amish structures like:

1865 Yoder House

1870s Schrock House (featuring antique Amish clothing & textiles)

1879 Herschberger-Miller Barn (with vendors in the hay loft!)

1860s Workshop

1930s German Schoolhouse

Vendor Highlights (Located in the Barn Loft):
 Homemade Soaps |  Jams & Jellies |  Popcorn
 Crocheted Goods |  Dried Flowers |  Book-card Making
 Beekeeper Booth |  Tissue-Paper Flower Making

Lunch Available Midday
Don’t miss the return of the famous lamb kabobs! Additional food options and a homestyle bake sale featuring:

Fresh-baked bread
Cakes and pies
Homemade ice cream

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR MORE 2025 EVENTS
Harvest to Home Festival – October 10–11
Featuring horse-powered oat threshing (new for 2025!) and more fall fun.

Living History Farm available Saturdays (May–Oct)
Guided tours available weekly from 10:00–4:00. No reservations needed. Tickets: $10

2025 Pop-Up Events

Rhubarb & Bees – May (date to be announced)

Blacksmithing / Horseshoeing – July (date to be announced)

Amish Education – August (date to be announced)

Storytelling – September 5

German Spelling Bee – November 15

Traditional Christmas – December (date to be announced)

Find Us
On Route 133 – Just 3 miles east of Arthur, IL & 5 miles west of the Arcola exit off I-57
More Info: www.illinoisamish.org
Follow on Facebook: Illinois Amish Heritage Center

 You're Invited to a One-of-a-Kind Groundbreaking Experience! 
Friday, April 25 • Program begins at 4:00 PM
 Illinois Amish Heritage Center – 3 miles east of Arthur, IL

Join us as we make history — the Amish way.

The Illinois Amish Heritage Center is breaking ground on a brand-new 10,000-square-foot Visitor & Museum Center, and we’re inviting YOU to witness a moment unlike anything else in the region.

The new Visitor Center will feature a film and exhibit gallery, genealogy research room, children’s discovery area, educational programming, and more — all focused on preserving the culture of the Amish in Illinois from 1865 to the present.

With more than 500,000 annual visitors to Arthur’s Amish Country, the new Center will become a regional anchor for heritage tourism and learning.

Highlight of the Day:
A team of Amish horses will pull a traditional slip scraper across the site — a powerful, rare tribute to how the land was worked generations ago. It’s not just a groundbreaking… it’s a living tradition.

 Perfect For:

• Families looking for a fun and educational Friday outing

• Farmers and ag enthusiasts who appreciate time-honored practices

• Local businesses and community leaders excited to be part of something big

• History buffs, homeschool groups, heritage travelers, and YOU!

 Event Schedule:

• 3:30 PM – Arrive & sign the Community Memory Board

• 4:00 PM – Welcome Remarks & Amish Horse Slip Scraper Demonstration

• 4:15 PM – Recognition of our board, builders, and donors

• 5:00 PM – Guests can try the Amish slip shovel themselves!

 Bonus: Be part of this moment in our Memory Book and enjoy hands-on fun after the ceremony.

This event is free to attend and open to the public — don’t miss your chance to be part of a groundbreaking that celebrates heritage, community, and the future of Amish storytelling in Illinois!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR MORE 2025 EVENTS
Harvest to Home Festival – October 10–11
Featuring horse-powered oat threshing (new for 2025!) and more fall fun.

Living History Farm available Saturdays (May–Oct)
Guided tours available weekly from 10:00–4:00. No reservations needed. Tickets: $10

2025 Pop-Up Events

Rhubarb & Bees – May (date to be announced)

Blacksmithing / Horseshoeing – July (date to be announced)

Amish Education – August (date to be announced)

Storytelling – September 5

German Spelling Bee – November 15

Traditional Christmas – December (date to be announced)

Find Us
On Route 133 – Just 3 miles east of Arthur, IL & 5 miles west of the Arcola exit off I-57
More Info: www.illinoisamish.org
Follow on Facebook: Illinois Amish Heritage Center