Amana Villages

The Amana General Store was my destination, but there's a whole village of quaint shopping opportunities here!

 

Update:  I found out about the Amana Colonies when I was looking for points of interest along I 80 in Iowa.

 

The story of the Colonies is very interesting.  The Amanians came from Germany to found a community based on religious principles and a self-sufficient lifestyle.  They are sometimes confused with the Amish, but they are not  Amish.  Their successful experiment in communal living continued until 1930 when the increasing pressures of communal living and economic setbacks from the Depression and losses due to fire and factory closings led to them voting to separate the church from the business holdings.  The corporation went on to found the Amana appliance business that is now owned by Whirlpool.  They were big producers of the microwave ovens, fridges and freezers, stoves, etc.  Remember the Amana Radar Range?

 

Today the Colonies are a major tourist attraction and a living museum of this fascinating group of people and the history of this part of Iowa.  There are actually several villages that make up the Colonies.  If you have time to hit only one place, I recommend the General Store.  It was built in 1858 and has been in continuous operation ever since.

 

Inside the store there are historic photographs with information on the history of the store and the Colonies.  Here’s one.

 

 

If you hate Christmas, look away.  I stumbled across this room and let out an involuntary “Wow.”  A store employee passing by smiled and said, “Yes.  Welcome to our Christmas Room.”  It is a fairy wonderland of lights, trees and ornaments.  Christmas in June!  My pictures can’t do it justice.

 

 

The downstairs area has a lot of rustic, cabin-themed décor and gifts.  I managed not to buy anything, but I fell in love with these guys.  You know I wanted to take them home.

 

 

There are all kinds of housewares, kitchen tools, food products, toys, gifts, paper goods, candy, home décor and assorted fun stuff to browse.  I will note that much of the content of the store is not unique to Amana.  For instance, the selection of Leanin' Tree cards, and the Lang Calendars can be found in many gift shops and ordered online.  Some people have noted that the Amana Colonies have become just another tourist trap.  I wouldn't go so far as that, and I think the store was still worth visiting even if it wasn't full of hand-crafted, genuine Amana goods.  But be aware that economics have forced the businesses in the Colonies to modernize like a lot of other places.

 

I probably would have enjoyed my visit more if I'd come earlier (and if it hadn't been so humid).  Everything here seems to close up at five o'clock, six at the latest.  There are number of restaurants, and they may stay open for dinner, I'm not sure.  If you really want to delve into this neat little corner of Iowa history, plan to spend the day.  It takes time to travel from village to village, and they each have something to offer.  There is a visitor center and museum that I didn't have time for, but would be well worth checking out if you have time.

 

There's no parking on the street, so you have to look for the little signs that direct you to lots off the street, and then you will have to walk up and down sections of the villages.  This is actually a good way to appreciate them, but I was pretty flattened by the heat and had arrived fairly late, so that cut into my enjoyment.  

There are lush green lawns, big shade trees with deep pools of shadow under them that make you feel cooler just to look at them, and wonderful old buildings.  I took this shot between two buildings to get a view of the water tower.

 

If you are in the area and want to see a beautiful, wonderfully preserved slice of living history, check out the Amana Colonies.  Read up beforehand to you know which stores interest you most so you can hit those first, allow plenty of time and start early in the day.