By John Gingerich
The Geauga Amish Historical Library (GAHL) was founded in 2014, with the mission of “Increasing awareness of Amish and Anabaptist history through the collection, preservation and presentation of items relating to Amish, Mennonite and Anabaptist history, with a special focus on the Amish settlement in Geauga County and northeastern Ohio.”
The GAHL has been blessed by the support of the local community, which has provided both financial contributions as well as donations of items of historical value. In 2018, the Library was invited to relocate to the Heritage Marketplace on Nauvoo Road, where we have on display books and documents significant to Amish history, some dating to the 16th century. The clothing room provides a presentation of clothing from various eras and areas, dating to the 1800s.
The GAHL also has a publishing committee, whose goal is to provide educational material about subjects important to the Amish community. In addition to publishing articles about topics relating to Amish-Mennonite history, the committee also produced a booklet about Amish history for use in the Amish parochial schools, as well as another publication about Social Security and the Amish.
As the GAHL has grown, it was soon realized that we needed more space. The GAHL board decided to rent most of the area formerly occupied by Heritage Naturals in order to not only expand the Library, but to also open a small gift shop. The gift shop’s main focus is on offering locally made products. For example, the gift shop has items made by local Amish people ranging in age from 13 years old to 90 years of age! The objective is to provide an outlet for local craft producers and to generate some revenue to support the Library.
A long-term goal of the Geauga Amish Historical Library’s board is for the Library to have its own building. Lord willing, we will continue to grow and prosper with the support of the local community. The Library is open to the public, as well as school and tour groups.
The Geauga Amish Historical Library is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, totally dependent on volunteers, donations, and revenue from the sale of printed material and from the gift shop.
Stop by and see us sometime! Beginning March 20, 2023, the library and gift shop hours will be Monday, Tuesday and Friday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., or by appointment.
Location: 15848 Nauvoo Road, Bldg. A1, Middlefield, OH. 44062
Phone: 440-682-0606
Email: GAHL@windstream.net
Visit us at Destination Geauga: https://www.destinationgeauga.com/members/geauga-amish-historical-library/
