ARTHUR, Ill. (WAND) - The Illinois Amish Heritage Center kicked off the first day of their inaugural steam threshing show to raise money for their preservation project.Â
People who attended the event were able to walk back in time and learn about the Amish culture. The site featured an old-fashioned steam threshing demonstration, an art exhibit and a living-history farm.Â
The money raised at the event will be used to fund the center's development plan. The plan features the opening and restoration of two Amish homes built in the late nineteenth century. Once the construction is finished, these homes will teach the community about the Amish way of life.Â
The Historic Preservation Consultant for the project, Tom Vance, says it is important to save and restore these historical homes.Â
"Preserving the houses really preserves the early Amish history of the area here," Vance says.Â
Owen Schrock grew up in one of the homes, along with five other generations since 1882. He says he is happy to share his family history with others so they can learn more about his Amish community.Â
"I think it's a good thing. The grand kids and the great-grand kids probably never knew where they grew up from."
The reservation project is projected to finish in 2020.Â
The steam threshing show will continue July 22 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you want to know more information you can head over to the Illinois Amish Heritage Center's Facebook page.Â
