Here came the Russians

Six museum directors from Russia visited Amish Acres in Nappanee, Indiana on December 18, 2014. They were part of the U.S Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program, a professional exchange program. The visit to Indiana was coordinated by The International Center in Indianapolis. The purpose of the three week trip across the United States was to learn how to improve cultural and natural tourism as an economic driver. Artur Hakobyan and Ella Lungwitz, Russian Language Interpreters, led the delegation during its 21 day visit.

The project focused on the management of living history and open air museums in the U.S. and the impact they have on local economies. Visited sites included living history museums and outdoor historical sites and monuments. The objectives of the program are to highlight the contribution of museums and historic sites, particularly in smaller locales, to regional economies and tourism, strategies and revenues through partnerships with local communities, governments, and businesses, marketing strategies local partnerships, 

 ​The group included Yuriy Komlev, Director Orenbufg Regional Museum of Fine Art, Orenburg; Stepan Ankudinov, Vologda State Museum of History, Architectural and Art; Svetlana Astapovicy, Deputy Director of the Torum Maa Ethonography Museum; Olesya Gavrilova, Director Bitoslavlitsy Department of Architecture; and Olga Titova, Director World Heritage Object, a UNESCO Heritage Site. None of the directors had prior visits to the United States. Participants are nominated buy staff at U.S. Embassies around the world. Every year 5,000 international visitors come to the U.S. Over 50 current Chiefs of State are alumni of the program​.

The group was particularly interested in the roll of private sector entrepreneurship and philanthropy in the U.S. museum world​. Most of the directors are involved in the preservation and intrepretation of indigenous culture and well as folk art and costumes. 

Amish Acres was their final visit. Richard Pletcher, Founder and CEO, Janis Logsdon, Jeff Kitson, Director, Nappanee, Area Chamber of Commerce, Kath Miller, Director of historic interpretation met with the group. Their day included tours of the historic farm, and threshers dinner.