Pinecraft: The History and Life of Sarasota’s Amish Community

This talk will examine the early years of Pinecraft when Mennonites and Amish first came to Sarasota in the 1920’s. What the first Amish and Mennonites here all the way from communities in the Northeast and the Midwest? What was life like before air conditioning, paved roads, multiple restaurants, a park with many activities, and electric bikes? A simpler time, no doubt, but a place that was home. JB Miller, a Mennonite who grew up in the Pinecraft community has many happy memories of those years – attending Pinecraft Elementary School, riding bikes on sandy streets, and playing in Phillippi Creek, and will share his knowledge of the history of the community as well as his personal experience growing up in Pinecraft. Today he spends time sharing with people what Pinecraft was like long before it became a popular tourist destination.

JB Bio

JB Miller is a life-long Mennonite who grew up in the Pinecraft community in Sarasota, FL – a unique enclave that is a popular winter-time destination for Amish and conservative Mennonites. The community dates back to the 1920’s and during the winter months is home to many different groups of Plain People who identify as Amish or Mennonite.

JB’s parents were reared in Old Order Amish homes but later joined a conservative Mennonite congregation. His parents owned the Pinecraft Eat’n House in the 1950’s and 1960’s. As a child, he spoke both English and Pennsylvania Dutch, a German dialect still spoken by the Amish today. He was educated in both private and public broughteducational institutions. He has been a student of Amish and Mennonite history for many years and enjoys observing the many changes that are taking place in the Pinecraft community.

This talk is possible thanks to the support of Florida Humanities, Mellon Foundation, Belier Auto Repair, and the Carlisle Inn.