A32— Lancaster Farming, Saturday, August 1,1981
Avian abodes by Amish architects abound in area
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BY DICK ANGLESTEIN
LANCASTER COUNTY
What’s the most diverse and
elaborate architecture and con
struction found on a number of
Lancaster County farms?
Some might say the large
statuesque farm houses with the
distinctive three or more
residential additions to ac
commodate succeeding
generations.
Others may point to the massive
stone and wood barns, whose
traditional exteriors mask the
extensive interior renovations that
have taken place to keep pace with
changing technology.
And even a few might elect to
favor the newer sprawling single
story open-sided heifer bams or
chicken houses that resemble a
half-dozen windowless ranch
houses stuck end to end.
While each of these is worthy of
mention, my vote for “agricultural
architectual excellence” goes to a
much smaller structure - the bird
houses cozily nestled amongst
many area farmsteads, principally
those of the Amish.
The design diversity and con
struction craftsmanship that went
into these houses atop poles are
symbolic of the same pride that
can be readily seen built into their
much larger neighboring struc
tures - be they bams or tobacco
sheds.
And what a diversity of Amish
avian abodes abound in this area.
The accompanying photos
illustrate just a few of them.
They range from tiny one or two
unit structures to high-rises which
soar five or six stories and contain
20 or 25 apartments.
Ther are round, rectangular,
square and octagon-shaped. (No
pentagon-shaped structure was
seen. That’s just as well. One such
building in the U.S. with occupants
continually having their heads in
the clouds is enough.)
There’s a Victorian-type man
sion, like something out of
Nathaniel Hawthorne.
Another has a Japanese pagoda
motif.
There’s amazing detail and they
come complete with chimneys,
weather vanes, perches and front
porches, plantation pillars and
New England roof-top captain’s
roosts.
One even has a long landing
perch. Must be for those birds
resembling a 747 that need a longer
runway to touch down.
Only one thing mystifies me. I’m
no domestic expert, but I always
thought that birds and Monday
morning wash didn’t mix.
But many of these bird house
poles are also supports for the long
farm house washlines.
Perhaps, this is indicative of the
agricultural philosophy and
(Turtito Page A 33)
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