CHESTERVILLE, Ill. (AP) – Organizers of a planned Amish-themed attraction in east-central Illinois are hoping the project can boost the region’s tourism.
The News-Gazette reports the Illinois Amish Heritage Center will sit on five acres along Illinois Route 133, near Chesterville and Arthur. Organizers hope the living-history Amish farm and museum will attract tourists, who would learn about the life and culture of the Amish.
Retired Sullivan businessman Richard Harshman is a board member of the Illinois Amish Heritage Preservation Foundation. He says the nonprofit is more than halfway to its goal of raising $1.7 million for the project this year.
Harshman says three buildings have already been moved to the site and work to restore them will begin this year. Plans call for an additional three buildings to be added to the area.
