| Simple in design and construction, the mission glider is | | | | their attention to detail is unsurpassed; this is true |
| nevertheless a worthwhile buy, not to mention a | | | | handmade quality that cannot be replicated in an |
| comfortable seat. At its best, it is also made by skilled | | | | assembly line. By looking at every piece with a keen |
| artisans who take the time and utmost care in crafting | | | | eye, the Amish are able to better see how the grain |
| a quality piece. One group of these exemplary | | | | lies and how certain pieces best fit together. The result |
| craftsmen, the Amish have long been acclaimed for | | | | is a mission glider that is built to last many years in the |
| their woodworking talent. | | | | hopes that it will be passed down as an heirloom, |
| To get started, note that Amish furniture is not a | | | | much like the art of building has been passed down |
| specific style unto itself, but rather a collection of | | | | through the generations of their people. This venerated |
| various design styles embraced by and practiced by | | | | education is passed down through the generations, but |
| Amish workers. Two of these, Shaker and Mission, are | | | | also at school. The Jonestown School of Lebanon, |
| popular and similar to one another. They are both | | | | Pennsylvania, for one, is well known for making |
| clean-cut and basic looking, but the Mission style is | | | | tri-paneled, painted blanket chests. That being said, |
| characterized by exposed joinery and straight lines, | | | | most Amish schoolchildren stop attending after the |
| whereas the Shaker style is slightly more elegant and | | | | eighth grade to begin work, so at that point it is the job |
| functional with an eye for long-lasting durability. Ironically, | | | | apprenticeships and families to continue to teach them |
| like the Amish, both of these styles have religious | | | | the traditional Amish trades. |
| backgrounds. The Shaker style is so called after the | | | | What is also unique about the Amish as furniture |
| religious denomination of the same name, while Mission | | | | manufacturers is their method of constructing a |
| style is a revival of the design of early Californian | | | | mission glider or Shaker style cabinet. In accordance |
| Spanish missions. Unlike the aforementioned two, the | | | | with their religious beliefs, the Amish do not use |
| Queen Anne style is significantly more elaborate and | | | | electricity, and this extends to each and all power tools. |
| does not resemble in any way the mission glider, with | | | | In order to complete pieces within a reasonable time |
| ornate carvings and detailing on the feet. There are | | | | frame, shops have turned to hydraulic and pneumatic |
| also Southwestern, Rustic, Beachfront and Cottage | | | | tools, which run on diesel generators, as an acceptable |
| styles available as possibilities. | | | | alternative. As time goes by, though, more and more |
| Although they share the religious affinity, there are | | | | technology seeps into the culture and certain |
| more reasons why the Amish are so perfectly | | | | allowances, especially in the case of woodworking, are |
| matched to the mission gliders and other similar | | | | made. In the end though, much of the final detailing is |
| furniture. The unique culture resides primarily in the | | | | still done by hand to ensure top quality. Some of the |
| Midwest, mainly in Ohio, Indiana and Pennsylvania. | | | | older generations even use old-fashioned Amish tools. |
| However, what sets them apart as craftsmen is their | | | | One of the best things about handcrafted furniture is |
| use of only wood in all of their furniture, including a | | | | that every piece is one of a kind. That new mission |
| minimal amount of laminate and particle board. Plus, | | | | glider is sounding better all the time. |