Amish Schoolhouse

Being the new neighbor in town was difficult for writer Mary Swander when she moved into the Amish community of Kalona, Iowa.

Swander had to earn the trust of her neighbors when she began converting a former Amish one-room schoolhouse into a modern home. Though she included amenities such as electricity and a phone, she was respectful of the Amish culture while converting the tiny 650-square-foot building.

A wood-burning stove is a reminder of simpler times. The original maple floors and white walls accent the home’s decor. Children's names are carved into the wooden beams in the basement. The experience of living in the schoolhouse has provided Swander with material for her sixth book.