June 2005 .............

The historic Amana Colonies, located not far from Iowa City, in the rolling hills of Iowa's River Valley, were formed in 1854 by  group of mystical Lutherans who came west from New York. They were a group of German-speaking European settlers who belonged to a religious group knows as the "Community of True Inspiration". Here they began a communal system of living , divided into seven different villages, and encompassing over 20,000 acres of land. An increasing desire to return to the basics of Christianity gained popularity in the doctrines articulated by this movement, known as Pietism. For Piestists, religion was a personal experience with an emphasis on sincere humility and earnest study of the Bible. The Community of True Inspiration was one of several groups which emerged from Pietism.  The latest National Register of Historic Places Travel Itinerary explores the fascination history of one of the longest lasting communal societies in the world. "The Big Change" came in the early 1930's when they began selling the land and businesses. There are five colonies - Homestead, East Amana, West Amana, South Amana and the largest, Amana. Amana has the most restaurants and shops.  The Colony Inn is a great place to eat, their cold sauerkraut salad is wonderful.  Be sure and stop at the Amana Furniture Shop, you can take a tour and watch them make furniture. The things they make are so smooth you will just walk around and rub your hands over them. Be sure and take the guided walking tour. There is an RV Park just outside of Amana that is convenient.

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