The first Amish to arrive in the United States settled in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Now there are many large settlements in the U.S., primarily in Holmes and adjoining counties in northeast Ohio, and in northeastern Indiana’s Elkhart and surrounding counties. These communities are surrounded by forest stocked with White and Red Oak, as well as Cherry, Maple, Hickory, and Black Walnut. Building on a tradition of self-sufficiency, the Amish took full advantage of the bounty of wood surrounding them to build their own furniture.

Over the course of the past century, the primary Amish occupation of farming has been increasingly supplemented by woodworking. In the beginning, Amish furniture was only publicly available through direct purchase from an Amish shop or nearby retailer. Now with the advent of the Internet, Amish craftsmen cooperate with “English” businessmen to globally distribute their goods and we can all enjoy the beauty of Amish furniture in our own homes. It is first plain sawn or quartersawn, either in an “English” or Amish mill. The plain-sawn technique has the advantage of being faster and produces a wide and long open grain effect, with long dark lines revealing the growth rings. These growth ring lines are rough to the touch, thereby creating a textured surface.

Generally, an oak dining table is constructed from plain-sawn oak. On the other hand, quartersawn oak is prized for its beautiful rayflake grain designs and its resistance to the effects of atmospheric moisture. Thus this cut of white oak is very durable, and when properly finished, it will likely not rot, decay, cup, twist, or crack.

However, the quartersawn milling technique is extremely labor intensive. First, the whole log needs to be cut lengthwise into quarter rounds. Next, the quarter-round lengths are cut perpendicular to the growth rings, rotating the length 90 degrees back and forth with each cut. The result is a feathered or furry grain that is both beautiful and strong. This process has been made easier by the recent use of diesel generators, which are an allowed form of electricity because the Amish retain control of the power source.

Once the mill has processed the wood, Amish craftsmen then carefully choose the lumber most suitable for each unique piece of furniture. Using his eye for design, he will select pieces that complement each other to create a lasting masterpiece for any home. The Amish craftsman uses generations-old techniques in the construction of each custom piece. For drawers, dovetail joints are used, and slats and support pieces are joined in the mortise and tenon fashion. The Amish take special care with their finish work, following multiple sanding and finish-application steps. When an Amish piece of wood furniture is properly cared for, it will retain its original finish for a lifetime.

Mass-produced imitation Amish furniture stands in direct contrast to handmade solid wood Amish craftsmanship and is usually made of particle board and veneer. Carefully inspect any prospective purchases, as there are many of these imitation Amish-style furnishing currently being sold on the market. When you purchase a genuine Amish furniture piece, you are making an investment that will grace your home for generations.

A dining room table is a special place for families to gather around. Whether it is for special events or creating day-to-day memories, a durable, heirloom-quality dining set is an important group of furniture that can set the stage for unforgettable moments throughout the lives of your loved ones. The best dining room furniture are those constructed from solid, natural materials and are built with close attention paid to every detail because that is what your family deserves. Amish dining room furniture is constructed following old world traditions meaning each unit is a work of art, handcrafted from organic material to create an atmosphere of purity where your family can relax and enjoy each other’s company.

There are so many family happenings that take place around the dining table from childhood to adulthood. Multigenerational families share the events of their day or plan the following day as sit around the dining table and enjoy meals together each night. Other daily rituals are also treasured such as a parent helping his/her child with homework or crafts at the oak dining room table or the joy (or sometimes chore) of setting the table each night with beautiful placemats and eating utensils. It is around the dining table that families are able to function as a whole and strengthen their bond.

The Amish are known for their strong family values, dedication to hard work and their hand-crafted, heirloom-quality furniture.  Amish furniture can be passed down from parents to children to grandchildren unlike most mass-produced furniture of today that’s not made to sustain so many years of use. Most furniture on the market is built from laminates and veneers and would not be able to withstand the wear and tear of family usage. The materials used for mass-production often discolor, stain, peel and the adhesives used weaken with time.

When Amish dining room furniture is passed down to children and grandchildren, not only are they receiving a table and chairs but also the memories that are associated with them. They will remember the meals, the fun activities, the life-changing announcements and of course the parents or grandparents that are passing those memories along. While making new memories, the lives and events shared around that dining table will be re-lived by future generations.

Amish dining tables are available in a huge array of sizes and in round and rectangular shapes that will suit your home perfectly. Several retailers also offer custom-made dining sets. Amish dining tables are made to hold leaves that allow them to extend up to 168”! Family gatherings wouldn’t have to be split up into different tables with a table long enough to seat them all. These tables also shrink down to sizes that are perfect for daily use.

Amish-built dining room sets aren’t just for the Amish anymore and through retailers are becoming extremely accessible. Available in a variety of timeless styles, finishes, sizes and shapes, their high-quality sets are perfect to create and share family memories around that can be passed down through generations.