Amana Colonies

The Amana Colonies is a settlement of German Pietists in Iowa comprised of seven different villages. Calling themselves Ebenezer Society or the Community of True Inspiration, die Gemeinde der wahren Inspiration, they first settled in New York state near Buffalo in what is now the Town of West Seneca. However, in order to live out their beliefs in more isolated surroundings and because they were refused an extension of their land charter because of their harsh treatment of a married couple who had violated their marriage edicts, they moved west to the rich soil of east-central Iowa (near present-day Iowa City) in 1855. They lived a communal life until the beginning of the 20th century.

Related Topics:
Pietists - Iowa - Ebenezer Society - New York state - Buffalo - West Seneca - Iowa City - Communal life

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Today, Amana is a major tourist attraction known mainly for its restaurants and craft shops. Included in the shops are woodworking shops, wine shops, and even a brewery called Millstream. The colonies as a whole are currently listed as a National Historic Landmark.

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