Amana Heritage Museum

The Amana Colony got its start in 1714 as a German religious movement. Known at the time as the New Spiritual Economy, the name was changed to Amana, meaning "remain faithful" by the 800 members of the community who emigrated from Germany to the US in the 1850s. After a few years in New York the group moved to Iowa and established seven villages. The villages were self sustaining with between forty and one hundred houses, a church, school, bakery, dairy, wine-cellar, post office, sawmill, and general store. Each person was assigned a job for which they got a yearly stipend. Meals were taken in communal kitchens. Unlike some other communal settlements the Amanas were not celibate and families lived together in individual houses. The children went to daycare or school after their first two years. 

 

The colonies were very successful, buying raw materials from outside the communities and selling their manufactured products all across the state. However fires in the woolen and flour mills in the 1920s and the depression of the 1930 brought about a split in the colonies known as the "Great Change". The Amana Society, Inc. took over the running the farms and businesses, one which is Amana Refrigeration. Individual members were allowed to buy their houses and continue in their occupations but they were responsible for their own finances. 

In our experience early communities like this one usually have very good museums. The Amana museum is lacking maybe because the colonies didn't have long history in the US. If you want to know about the Amana Colonies I recommend reading a book or searching on the internet. If you want to visit the villages plan on shopping, eating, or attending a festival rather than going to the museum. 

 The museum is in Amanda, the main village. Enter through the gift shop, watch a short video, then walk to the next building which has exhibits on two floors. There are two entrances with no connection between the rooms so make sure to go in both doors. There's also a workshop behind the building.A communal kitchen and a church located in the other villages are included in admission.

 

Nothing is really accessible although there are a few attempts at ramps. The second floor is accessed by stairs only.

Lots where RVs will fit are located south of 220th Street. We did not visit the other villages. Museum  41.80027, -91.87286