We continued our visits to non-traditional religious groups who left Europe and came to America for religious freedom. Our tour through the main town of Amana, led by a resident, gave us both historic and modern background. An explosion destroyed much of the main town in 1927; today the buildings remain much as they were since the 1930s. The area consists of seven small towns within a couple of miles of each other. As the need developed, leaders started a new town. They thrive on tourism, appliance manufacturing, furniture making and local crafts. Jerry was very impressed with the quality of the handmade furniture. At its peak, the colony had about 1800, today about 1500 still live in and worship in the community. Unlike the Amish, who have not changed as times have changed, Amana kept up with and even developed technology (remember the Amana RadarRange), and went from a colony to a corporation with every member holding stock. Unlike the Amish who shun those who stray, the many family members who have left the area are still welcomed as kin and can return to live at will.
Along with learning about the crafts, we enjoyed the stories of Henry, a 91 year young broom maker who told of his grandparents and parents mischief as they grew up in Amana. He himself left the town only for five years to serve in the US Army in WWII and to be stationed in San Francisco.
Next we returned to Pella to see what we had missed and revisit the bakery. The town has a authentic Dutch windmill used to grind flour. We toured the inside of the mill up to the blades. In an adjacent area local crafters have created a miniature Dutch village down to the finest detail. The grounds near the mill hold buildings that recreate life in early Pella and even have the home where Wyatt Earp grew up.
Down the street is an opera house with a wonderful organ just waiting for us to stop in and listen. Oh, yes, we did remember to stop at the bakery for yummies.
We so enjoyed Iowa, we hope to return for IOWOW III.
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