Categories: Lifestyle

The Amana Colonies: From Commune To Tourist Attraction

This web page was created programmatically, to learn the article in its authentic location you possibly can go to the hyperlink bellow:
https://rvlifestyle.com/amana-colonies/
and if you wish to take away this text from our web site please contact us


Not all our explorations on our 34-day Fantasy RV Tour of the Mississippi have us on the river. Sometimes, we enterprise afield.

One such journey took us from our Rock Island, IL campground, a couple of half an hour west to see one of the vital intriguing examples of communal dwelling in America.

We visited the seven cities that make up the Amana Colonies, all located on about 26,000 acres alongside the Iowa River valley. 

The Amana Colonies

The colony traces again to the early 1700s in Germany. A non secular group known as the Community of True Inspiration (or Inspirationalists) fashioned throughout a time of Christian religious revival. They believed in dwelling merely, specializing in religion, and being led by women and men impressed by God’s spirit slightly than formal clergy.

Because of persecution for his or her beliefs, the group sought a brand new place to apply their communal life-style freely. 

In 1843, a number of hundred members emigrated to the United States. They first settled close to Buffalo, New York, in a spot they known as the Ebenezer Colonies. However, because the group expanded, it required extra land, and in 1855, it relocated west to Iowa.

Today, it’s largely a vacationer attraction, with lots of the authentic sandstone buildings now serving as vintage shops, present outlets, and eating places. Its most important business is a fridge manufacturing unit that bears the identify Amana. It was previously run by the society, however now it’s owned by Whirlpool.

Our favourite cease was Schanz Furniture & Refinishing, a family-owned store that makes handcrafted customized furnishings from native maple, oak, walnut, and cherry. Jennifer purchased a three-piece set of carved pine timber for our mantle again in Michigan.

The tour spent an hour there, marveling on the selection and high quality of the wooden merchandise they make, touring the manufacturing unit, and studying that folks from the world over ship household heirlooms, courting again many generations, to be repaired and refinished there.

Should you need to go to, the Amana Colonies have this massive RV park proper within the coronary heart of every little thing—we’re speaking about over 450 campsites unfold throughout 80 acres. It’s simply half a mile from the village of Amana so you possibly can park your rig and stroll to many of the points of interest. The park has full and partial hookups, 50 amp service, showers, laundry, free Wi-Fi, and a camp retailer – mainly every little thing you want for a cushty keep.

What makes this spot good for RVers is that you just’re tenting proper the place the motion is. The Amana Colonies had been designated a National Historic Landmark in 1965.

You’ve received all these brick and stone buildings from the 1800s simply ready to be explored.

What to do on the Amana Colonies

So what do you have to do when you’re there? Well, the Colonies are well-known for his or her family-style German meals – locations just like the Ox Yoke Inn, the place we ate. They serve up hearty, conventional fare that’ll fill you proper up. You’ll additionally discover small outlets specializing in several crafts, from handmade furnishings and clocks to woolen items. The Amana Woolen Mill is Iowa’s solely working woolen mill, and you’ll watch them weave material the old style manner.

If you are into wine or beer, there are a number of wineries and the Millstream Brewing Company the place you possibly can pattern native favorites. The Heritage Museum provides you the complete story of the Colonies’ historical past , displaying you the way these German immigrants lived communally from 1855 to 1932.

But this is the true deal with—save a while for the International Christmas Market contained in the Amana General Store. Jennifer virtually missed our bus again to our campground as a result of she was so mesmerized by the choices.

This place is open year-round, and it is completely magical. You’ll discover European-inspired vacation décor, conventional German nutcrackers, hand-blown glass ornaments, and distinctive presents from around the globe. The superbly adorned shows showcase every little thing from intricate nativity scenes to charming wood pyramids.. Even if it is September after we visited, strolling into this Christmas wonderland with its twinkling lights and vacation scents will put you proper within the spirit of the season.

It’s the proper approach to wrap up your go to to this distinctive piece of American historical past.

Catch up on The Great River Road collection:


You’ve raised the children. Done the 9-to-5. Now it’s your time.
Join a personal, ad-free community built just for RVers over 50 who crave connection, journey, and significant dialog.

  • In-person meetups & rallies
  • Exclusive programs on mastering the RV life-style
  • Real folks. No drama. No adverts.

Because the open street is healthier with pals. Check it out right here


This web page was created programmatically, to learn the article in its authentic location you possibly can go to the hyperlink bellow:
https://rvlifestyle.com/amana-colonies/
and if you wish to take away this text from our web site please contact us

fooshya

Recent Posts

Methods to Fall Asleep Quicker and Keep Asleep, According to Experts

This web page was created programmatically, to learn the article in its authentic location you…

2 days ago

Oh. What. Fun. film overview & movie abstract (2025)

This web page was created programmatically, to learn the article in its unique location you…

2 days ago

The Subsequent Gaming Development Is… Uh, Controllers for Your Toes?

This web page was created programmatically, to learn the article in its unique location you…

2 days ago

Russia blocks entry to US youngsters’s gaming platform Roblox

This web page was created programmatically, to learn the article in its authentic location you…

2 days ago

AL ZORAH OFFERS PREMIUM GOLF AND LIFESTYLE PRIVILEGES WITH EXCLUSIVE 100 CLUB MEMBERSHIP

This web page was created programmatically, to learn the article in its unique location you…

2 days ago

Treasury Targets Cash Laundering Community Supporting Venezuelan Terrorist Organization Tren de Aragua

This web page was created programmatically, to learn the article in its authentic location you'll…

2 days ago