"Rosanna of the Amish"

Poet Julia Spicher Kasdorf tells the story behind the writer of Rosanna of the Amish, who lived and died in Huntingdon, as well as engages in discussion about fact and truth in literary work, especially memoirs. Kasdorf has published two collections of poetry; a collection of essays, The Body and the Book: Writing from a Mennonite Life; and a biography, Fixing Tradition: Joseph W. Yoder, Amish American.  Recently she co-edited the restored text of Yoder's 1940 classic.  Kasdorf is Associate Professor of English and Women’s Studies at Penn State.

Watch the full episode on YouTube: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4

Watch an interview with Kasdorf:

This episode was taped at The Art Space of The Huntingdon County Arts Council, which provides art, educational and cultural opportunities in Huntingdon County.

Watch an interview with Huntingdon's Ilona Ballreich:

Additional Resources:

Julia Spicher Kasdorf’s website

Kasdorf‘s bio, interview and poems at the Academy of American Poets

Yoder online newsletter with first-hand account of Joseph Yoder

Huntingdon County Historical Society

WPSU’s show on Plain People with Kasdorf

Penn State’s “Do We Romanticize the Amish?” with Kasdorf

PA Center for the Book’s article on Amish & Mennonites in Mifflin County