Behalt - Amish Mennonite Heritage Center — Attraction in Dover

All stars go to the impressive mural and the informative interpreters. I encourage all to see this amazing piece of artwork.

For the lack of three more stars, I wish to share my experience with Center leadership, specifically Director Marcus Yoder. During several years of interaction with the Center as a local scholar, I faced several challenges that are important to share.

I had multiple interactions with the Director that left me with unresolved grievances. These include issues related to mishandling archival records I stored there (arranging for an out-of-state bishop to secretly digitize private materials), distressing comments made to community members about my work, and a lack of coordination in managing archival materials. Additionally, there were instances where I felt my original contributions were undermined, such as the Director's co-establishment of a new, similarly-named periodical that stated in its front-matter that it was the "successor" of the still-active one I edit. This feels intentionally misleading.

One particular incident that stood out was a social media exchange involving the Director and his wife that I found unprovoked and distressing. Despite reaching out to address these issues, the Director chose not to meet to discuss a resolution. I also contacted the board chair for contact information for board members but was asked to route all communications through him, which did not instill confidence in a fair process.

A separate concern arose when a well-regarded tour guide was dismissed suddenly, which I believe was handled in a manner that reflected broader issues within the Center’s management.

The disparity between the values represented by the mural of Mennonite/Christian martyrs and some of my experiences with the Center's leadership is troubling. The mural, which commemorates individuals who stood against oppressive establishments, contrasts with the challenges faced when raising concerns within the Center.

I hope that future management of the mural and the Center aligns more closely with the values of humility and respect that the artwork embodies.

[Note: Since posting my initial review, an individual connected to the Center and competing periodical has placed a contrasting review. This action, along with other public statements, reflects ongoing issues that I believe...

THE authentic place to experience Holmes County and more!

If you come to the Behalt, you will experience the actual culture and faith of the Amish, Amish-Mennonites, and Mennonites of Holmes County across different church groups. The Behalt mural is one-of-a-kind and now a special part of community life. You will get to learn about both faith and culture, and you will get to ask questions.

Make sure to come in time to join tours at the TOP of every hour! The combined tickets for both tours is the best deal. Email in advance if you would like to visit the Ohio Amish Library.

I had the privilege of volunteering and learning from the director, Marcus, front desk staff, tour guides/interpreters, library archivists, and volunteers for a month. Missing everyone already! It was a very meaningful experience for someone who has never lived in Holmes County and I felt very welcomed. Everything is run with professionalism, an impressive commitment to archival preservation, and the core values of the...

Behalt is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn the history of Anabaptists! There are several tours. First, is the cyclorama (of which there are only a few in the world) from Jesus Christ's resurrection to the present day, in narration and pictures in and round mural. It takes roughly 45-50 minutes to hear it from beginning to end. Second, there is a video presentation around 20 mins in length of the Amish life. Thirdly, there is a tour of an Amish school, which lasts around 15-20 minutes, and fourth, a tour of an Amish barn, complete with narrative history of barn raising, different types of buggies and a Conestoga wagon. Last, there is a gift shop and book store to continue educating yourself on Anabaptists. One could spend hours there. Located just outside of Berlin, it is close to all the sights around. I highly...