Amana Things to Do Tips by mtncorg

LILY LAKE

Between Main Amana and Middle Amana lies what is known as Lily Lake, a shallow lake full of water lilies. Bike paths and hiking paths circle the lake, blending a bit of nature with the Amana blue of the Amana Refrigeration factory in the distance.

Another interesting trail to take giving you a feel for the countryside of the Amanas is the Kolonienweg, a trail running from Main Amana to Middle Amana.

AMANA REFRIGERATION FACTORY – Middle Amana

Employing over 2000 employees, this is the giant of Amana today. The appliances made here have a fine reputation for quality. Originally, Amana was the product of former Colonists, but the company left Colony hands long age and has recently been bought by another Iowan appliance giant, Maytag – itself of Mennonite origins. There are no factory tours, but you might want to position yourself on the hill in Middle Amana above the plant about 3:30 in the afternoon to watch the end-of-workday exodus.

My appliances are from Amana. How about yours? ;-\

Website: http://www.maytag.com

HOMESTEAD STORE MUSEUM – Homestead

Within this former general store you can see how Amana and the outside World interacted. There are several exhibits demonstrating how Amana created goods for sale outside the Colonies and what they needed in return.

Address: PO Box 81, Amana IA 52203

Phone: 316-622-3567

Website: http://www.amanaheritage.org

COMMUNAL KITCHEN AND COOPER SHOP – Middle Amana

A guided tour explains how the dining halls functioned. Unlike in the communal hall of Bishop Hill, Illinois where all 1000 people sat down to dine at the same time, here in Amana, there were several smaller dining halls in each village – about the size of a large family house. This house in Middle Amana is the last intact communal kitchen remaining. The neighboring Cooper Shop shows the tools and techniques involving with barrelmaking.

Address: PO Box 81, Amana IA 52203

Phone: 316-622-3567

Website: http://www.amanaheritage.org

CHURCH MUSEUM – Homestead

The former church in Homestead is the site of the Church Museum. Here you can learn more about the beliefs of those that made up the Amana Colonies. This was the reason the colonies existed. You can also see the present state of the True Inspiration Church.

There used to be a church in each village. Now only a couple halls are used regularly – Main Amana and Middle Amana. Men and women enter from separate sides and sit separated. Walls are light blue – Amana blue; ceilings are heavenly white. There are simple hard benches and no inner chapel hall adornments. Concentration is to be front and center on the speaker with young people in the front and the older people sitting behind in the back benches of ‘wisdom’. A house is attached to each chapel which was for families that were responsible for the upkeep of the church and grounds.

The Church Museum is an important stop in understanding the spirit that imbued and imbues the Amanas – with both strength and longevity.

Address: PO Box 81, Amana IA 52203

Phone: 316-622-3567

Website: http://www.amanaheritage.org

AMANA HERITAGE MUSEUM – Main Amana

In this museum you really start to gain an understanding of what the Amana Colonies were. The museum is located in an old Colony home and is full of exhibits demonstrating history and social life within the communities. On the hour, a short media presentation is given within a Colony school classroom. The re is also a bookstore featuring more information of the Colony and some of the crafts. Cost is $8 but that ticket is good at the other Heritage museums, too - Church, Homestead Store, Communal Kitchen and Cooper Shop, Communal Agricultural. The museums are spread out through the other Amanas.

Address: PO Box 81, Amana IA 52203

Phone: 316-622-3567

Website: http://www.amanaheritage.org