Karen M. Johnson-Weiner Papers, 1844-2024 | Earl H. and Anita F. Hess Archives and Special Collections

By Emily Erdlen '23

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Collection Overview

Title: Karen M. Johnson-Weiner Papers, 1844-2024

ID: MSS/MSS-0014

Primary Creator: Johnson-Weiner, Karen

Extent: 10.42 Linear Feet

Date Acquired: 05/13/2022. More info below under Accruals.

Scope and Contents of the Materials

This collection contains materials from 1844-2024 and spans fourteen boxes donated by Johnson-Weiner in 2022. Additional materials were donated in 2023 and 2024. The collection contains correspondence, photographs, handwritten and typed notes, research materials, Dr. Johnson-Weiner’s published work, and an assortment of artifacts including hats, bonnets, dolls, children’s clothing, and a school bell. This collection includes Johnson-Weiner’s correspondence with Amish and non-Amish individuals, and her research on Amish schools, language, Amish women, the Amish in New York state, and other topics relating to Amish life.

Collection Historical Note

Karen M. Johnson-Weiner, Ph.D. is a linguistic anthropologist who has been studying Amish and Mennonite communities for over 30 years. She is a Distinguished Service Professor of Anthropology Emerita at SUNY Potsdam. Johnson-Weiner received her B.A. from Hope College in 1975, her M.A. from Michigan State University in 1976, and her Ph.D. in linguistics from McGill University in 1984.

Johnson-Weiner has written multiple books on the Amish: Train up a Child: Old Order Amish and Mennonite Schools (2006), New York Amish: Life in the Plain Communities of the Empire State (2010), The Lives of Amish Women (2020), and All About the Amish: Answers to Common Questions (2021), as well as a number of articles on Old Order Amish language, culture, and education. She also co-wrote The Amish (2013) with Dr. Donald Kraybill and Dr. Steven Nolt.

Administrative Information

Repository: Earl H. and Anita F. Hess Archives and Special Collections

Accruals: Additional materials were donated in 2023 and 2024.

Use Restrictions: All researchers must complete a privacy agreement provided by the Archivist.

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Correspondence, 1985-2024],
[Series 2: Amish Schools, 1892-2008],
[Series 3: Language, 1969-2005],
[Series 4: Research and Publication Materials, 1844-2022],
[Series 5: Artifacts],
[Series 6: Audiovisual Materials],
[All]

Series 6: Audiovisual Materials

Box 15 contains cassette tapes and CDs from Johnson-Weiner's research. Box 16 contains microcassette tapes from Johnson-Weiner's research.

Box 15

Item 1: Catherine Snow, Critical Period by L2 Acquisition JQAM, 1/24/80
Item 2: The Home: Bennie Byler, C-75, 12/5/86
Item 3: John and Susan’s Wedding, C-90, 4/28/90
Item 4: Beachy, 11/1/90
Item 5: Sue, 11/6/90
Item 6: Revival Among the Hutterites: Eli Stahl, Fellowship Weekend 1991, 2/8/91
Item 7: Norfolk, 10/22/91
Item 8: P.C.F., 10/91
Item 9: Margaret Discusses Wedding, 11/12/91
Item 10: Christian Homes: John Weaver, C-75, 1/17/92
Item 11: Where Are the Mothers: Ervin Esh, C-60, 5/17/92
Item 12: The Blood of the Lamb: Ervin Esh, C-75, 4/4/93
Item 13: Beachy, 4/7/93
Item 14: Two Different Homes #5: Enos Byler, C-45, 8/7/93
Item 15: Insurance vs Trust in God: Ed Sillman, C-75, 9/5/93
Item 16: The Glad Tidings of the Gospel: Ed Sillman, C-60, 10/31/93
Item 17: The Mercy of God: Ervin Esh, C-75, 12/12/93
Item 18: Prepare to Meet thy God: Ervin Esh, C-75, 2/13/94
Item 19: Interview with Aaron Glick, 11/21/94
Item 20: 1994 School Program, M-90, 1994
Item 21: Ren Men, 3/8/95
Item 22: Ren Men, 3/29/95
Item 23: Ren Men Women etc., 4/95
Item 24: Sue Wickey, 5/95
Item 25: Ren Men Women in Church #1, 6/6/95
Item 26: Ren Men Women in Church #2, 6/6/95
Item 27: John Delagrange, 7/7/95
Item 28: Ren Men, 9/95
Item 29: Plumbrooke Amish Acres/Farms, 9/20/95
Item 30: Plumbrooke Amish Farms
Item 31: John Delagrange, 4/24/96
Item 32: Margaret Delagrange
Item 33: Gesangbuch Treasures: German Hymns from the 1804 Mennonite Hymnal, 1999
Item 34: Rebecca S. Miller, Joe S. Miller, Sarah, 1/19/00
Item 35: The Wedding of Daniel and Mendy, 9/7/02
Item 36: Singing from Weekend of Daniel and Mendy’s Wedding, 9/7/02
Item 37: Omer King Testimony: Prayer by Daniel Martin, 9/8/02
Item 38: Luke and Dawn’s Wedding #1, 3/27/04
Item 39: Luke and Dawn’s Wedding and Singing #2, 3/27/04
Item 40: Jesus is God, Jesus is Man: Luke Martin, 3/28/04
Item 41: A Wedding Message: Ed Sillman, C-60
Item 42: Death: Ervin Esh, C-75
Item 43: Immersion: Plattsburgh
Item 44: My Testimony: Ed Sillman, C-90
Item 45: Parents Journal ADD
Item 46: Please Call Us Mennonites: Steve Ebersole, C-60
Item 47: Services at 9:30 Sunday Morning CST, Sermon: Like the Eagle
Item 48: The Christian Home: Daniel Beiler, C-90
Item 49: The Christian Home: Jonas J. Miller, C-90
Item 50: The Foundation of the Christian Home: Allen Miller, C-90
Item 51: The Ministry of Women: Ed Sillman, C-75
Item 52: Tim and Darlene’s Wedding, C-90
Item 53: What is Love: Eli Yoder, C-60
Item 54: No description, 2/12/91
Item 55: No description
Item 56: No description
Item 57: No description
Item 58: Hymns on the Guitar and Mandolin: By Michael and Aaron Shell (CD), 3/27/2004
Item 59: For Christ and Church: Farmersville Mennonite School Christmas Program (CD), 12/13/2005
Item 60: For Christ and Church: Farmersville Mennonite School Christmas Program (Paper Program), 12/7/2005, 12/9/2005
Item 61: Photos for NY Amish Book (CD)

Box 16

Item 1: Visit to Plumbrook School, 3/31/86-4/8/86
Item 2: 7/16/86
Item 3: 9/23, 9/30, 9/30
Item 4: Beachy
Item 5: Conversation with Sue Wickey
Item 6: No description
Item 7: No description
Item 8: No description
Item 9: No description
Item 10: No description
Item 11: No description
Item 12: No description
Item 13: No description