Amana Colonies - The Handcrafted Escape

The history of the Amana Colonies, a National Historic Landmark and one of the America’s longest-lived communal societies begins in 1714 in the villages of Germany and continues today on the Iowa prairie.

In turbulent 18th Century Germany in the midst of a religious movement called Pietism, two men, Eberhard L. Gruber and Johann F. Rock, advocated faith renewal through reflection, prayer and Bible study. Their belief, one shared by many other Pietists, was that God, through the Holy Spirit, may inspire individuals to speak. This gift of inspiration, or prophecy, was the basis for a religious group that began meeting in 1714 and became known as the Community of True Inspiration. Though the inspirationists sought to avoid conflict they were persecuted for the beliefs. Eventually the Inspirationsts found refuge in central Germany settling in several estates, including the 13th century Ronneburg castle.

Persecution and an economic depression in Germany forced the community to begin searching for a new home. Led by Christian Metz, they hoped to find religious freedom in America and left Germany in 1843. Community members pooled their resources and purchased 5000 acres near Buffalo, New York. They called their community the Ebenezer Society and adopted a formalized communal way of life.

When farmland was needed for the growing community, the Inspirationists looked to Iowa. Here was fertile soil, stone, wood and water enough to build the community of their dreams.

In 1855 they arrived in Iowa. The leaders of the community chose the name Amana from the Song of Solomon 4:8. Amana means to “remain true.” Six villages were established, a mile of two apart, across an Iowa River valley and spanning nearly 26,000 acres. The communal way of life for the True Inspirationists in Iowa began in earnest and lasted 77 years.

Farming and the production of wool and calico supported the community, but village enterprises, everything from clock a making to brewing, were vital, and well-crafted products became a hallmark of the Amanas. Inspirationists attended worship services 11 times a week and toiled long and hard each day to support their communal lifestyle.

Over 50 communal kitchens provided three daily meals and two snacks a day to all the colonists. The kitchens were operated by the women of the Colony and were well supplied by the village smoke-house, bakery, icehouse and dairy and by the huge gardens, orchards and vineyards maintained by the villagers In 1932 Amana amidst the great depression Amana set aside its communal way of life. By 1932, the communal way of life was seen as a barrier to achieving individual goals. Rather than leave or watch their children leave, the colony changed. They established the Amana Society, Inc. a profit-sharing corporation to manage the farmland, the mills, and many of the larger businesses. Private enterprise was encouraged.

Today, over 77 years sense the change the seven villages of the Amana Colonies represent an American dream come true. Declared a National Historic Landmark in 1965, the Amana Colonies attract hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the world each year. In Amana visitors enjoy a place where the past is cherished and preserved and where hospitality is a way of life. The streets of the Amana Colonies with their historic brick, stone and clapboard homes, their flower and vegetable gardens their lanterns and walkways recall Amana yesterday. A vibrant community, celebrating both its past and its future, is here today for you to experience.

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