The Bay State is home to one of the largest cities in the United States: Boston. Boston, famous for its cream pie, baked beans, and clam chowder. But Massachusetts - I will never learn how to spell the state, I always have to look it up - is home to plenty of rural expanses, primarily in the west that could, in theory, be very appealing to the Amish.
But, as of 2024, there are no Amish communities in the state. I mean, I could see the Berkshires and its rural reaches or perhaps north-central parts of the state, being fertile ground to start a new settlement. But, for now, there are no Amish in the Bay State and, geez, this was a tough post to put together because most states that have no Amish communities have at least a Mennonite presence or some stores that sell Amish goods, but there is not much of anything Plain in Massachusetts. I did find one Mennonite-owned bakery when putting together this post, so keep reading.
❤️ Reasons the Amish Would Like Massachusetts
In many ways, I am surprised there is not already an Amish community in Massachusetts. There are abundant reasons why the state probably will be home to the Amish someday. Among them:
Proximity: The Amish are found in large numbers in nearby New York State, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Maine, so the state is centrally located to a lot of Amish communities, that would make it an attractive spot for a new community.
Climate: Cold winters and temperate summers are ideal for the Amish who don't have electricity. Massachusetts climate would be far more preferable to a scorching southern summer.
👎 Reasons The Amish Have Not Settled in Massachusetts
There are several reasons why the Amish might have bypassed Massachusetts so far in their search for new places to start communities.
Boston: The entire Boston-Worcester metroplex takes up half the state, so if the Amish are going to settle in Massachusetts, it is will be in the western part of the state and that is pretty limiting. Places like Vermont and Maine are more logical.
Land Prices: Land prices in Massachusetts are comparably high compared to the hinterlands of Vermont, New York State, or Maine, so why start from scratch in Massachusetts when you can in so many other nearby cheaper places.
🗺️ Amish Communities Close to Massachusetts
If you live in Massachusetts, you may not have any Amish in your state, but you don't have to go far to find Amish, fortunately. The closest Amish settlements to the state are within an easy day's drive and depending on where you are in Massachusetts, sometimes just a short drive. The closest Amish communities to Massachusetts are:
- Eastern New York State near Glens Falls
- Vermont
- Maine
- Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
🛒 Amish Businesses in Massachusetts
While there are no Amish churches or Amish businesses in Massachusetts, there are places in the Bay State where you can get a touch and taste of the simpler life, but not many! If you know of a place in Massachusetts where one can get Amish baked goods or bulk foods, shoot me a note! Here are a couple of businesses in Massachusetts we know of that you might be able to get a taste of Amish!
The Bread Basket Bakery: 815 Blandford Rd, Russell, MA 01071....This Mennonite-run market is similar in style to a lot of the Amish bakeries and Mennonite culinary traditions are close to the Amish, so you'll get a lot of the same ambiance here.
Wilkins Farm Stand: 20 South Rd, Pepperell, MA 0146. They have some Amish-made baked goods here.
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