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Amana Colonies

 Jayden surprised us for Christmas with a gift car for a stay at a Bed and Breakfast in the Amana Colonies. We decided to use our gift card for our 24th anniversary stay. Mark and I knew little about the Amana colonies, but after our stay, we learned so much. We waited until Luke got home from school to see him and say goodbye before he left on his big spring break trip. After that, we hit the road for Iowa City. We arrived in the Amana Colonies after dark and hungry. We went straight to a restaurant and enjoyed a giant pretzel appetizer, some German beer and food. We also were entertained by some karaoke as the night went on. Almost everyone we heard sing were super talented and did a great job. It's really fun to hear good singers. Next we checked into our little Bed and Breakfast. It reminded me of going to a little granny's home for a stay. The room with painted a lime green with lots of floral. There was an old quilt on the bed and pictures of flowers and birds. It felt very old and grandma sweet. It was also very cold in the room and house. We didn't meet the owners until the next morning as they greeted us for breakfast served at 8AM. The couple was very welcoming and excited to greet and visit with the new guests. The new guests were us and one other couple. We were a little surprised to be the only couples on a weekend in a home with 16 bedrooms. It was a cold weekend with snow still on the ground. We spent the day roaming the Amana colony area and learning about it's unique history. We went to a museum and cute little shops. They were having wine and dumpling specials at some of the shops.  We also visited shops with soaps, meats, and furniture.




Taken from the Internet....The history of Amana Colonies, a National Historic Landmark and one of America’s longest-lived communal societies, begins in 1714 in the villages of Germany and continues today on the Iowa prairie. In the turbulent 18th century, Germany in the midst of a religious movement called Pietism, two men, Eberhard Ludwig Gruber, and Johann Friedrich Rock, advocated faith renewal through reflection, prayer and Bible study. Their belief, one shared by many other Pietists, was that God, through the Holy Spirit, may inspire individuals to speak. This gift of inspiration was the basis for a religious group that began meeting in 1714 and became known as the Community of True Inspiration. Though the Inspirationists sought to avoid conflict, they were persecuted for their beliefs. Eventually, the Inspirationists found refuge in central Germany settling in several estates, including the 13th-century Ronneburg castle. Persecution and an economic depression in Germany forced the community to begin searching for a new home. Led by Christian Metz, they hoped to find religious freedom in America and left Germany in 1843-44. Community members pooled their resources and purchased 5,000 acres near Buffalo, New York. By working cooperatively and sharing their property, the community, now numbering some 1,200 people, was able to carve a relatively comfortable living. They called their community the “Ebenezer Society” and adopted a constitution that formalized their communal way of life. When more farmland was needed for the growing community, the Inspirationists looked to Iowa where attractively priced land was available. Land in the Iowa River valley was particularly promising. Here was fertile soil, stone, wood, and water enough to build the community of their dreams. In 1855 they arrived in Iowa. After an inspired testimony directed the people to call their village, “Bleibtreu” or “remain faithful” the leaders chose the name Amana from the Song of Solomon 4:8. Amana means to “remain true.” Six villages were established, a mile or two apart, across a river valley tract of some 26,000 acres – Amana, East Amana, West Amana, South Amana, High Amana, and Middle Amana. The village of Homestead was added in 1861, giving the Colony access to the railroad. In the seven villages, residents received a home, medical care, meals, all household necessities, and schooling for their children. Property and resources were shared. Men and women were assigned jobs by their village council of brethren. No one received a wage. No one needed one. Farming and the production of wool and calico supported the community, but village enterprises, everything from clock making to brewing, were vital; and well-crafted products became a hallmark of the Amanas. Craftsmen took special pride in their work as a testament of both their faith and their community spirit. Up before dawn, called to work by the gentle tolling of the bell in the village tower, the unhurried routine of life in old Amana was paced very differently than today. Amana churches, located in the center of each village, built of brick or stone, have no stained glass windows, no steeple or spire, and reflect the ethos of simplicity and humility. Inspirationists attended worship services 11 times a week; their quiet worship punctuating the days. Over 50 communal kitchens provided three daily meals; as well as a mid-morning and mid-afternoon snack to all Colonists. These kitchens were operated by the women of the Colony and well supplied by the village smokehouse, bakery, ice house and dairy, and by the huge gardens, orchards and vineyards maintained by the villagers. Children attended school, six days a week, year-round until the age of 14. Boys were assigned jobs on the farm or in the craft shops, while girls were assigned to a communal kitchen or garden. A few boys were sent to college for training as teachers, doctors, and dentists. In 1932, amidst America’s Great Depression, Amana set aside its communal way of life. A ruinous farm market and changes in the rural economy contributed, but what finally propelled the change was a strong desire on the part of residents to maintain their community. By 1932, the communal way of life was seen as a barrier to achieving individual goals, so rather than leave or watch their children leave, they changed. They established the Amana Society, Inc. a profit-sharing corporation to manage the farmland, the mills, and the larger enterprises. Private enterprise was encouraged. The Amana Church was maintained. Today the seven villages of the Amana Colonies represent an American dream come true; a thriving community founded by religious faith and community spirit. Declared a National Historic Landmark in 1965, the Amana Colonies attract hundreds of thousands of visitors annually all of whom come to see and enjoy a place where the past is cherished and where hospitality is a way of life. Evocative of another age, the streets of the Amana Colonies with their historic brick, stone and clapboard homes, their flower and vegetable gardens, their lanterns and walkways recall Amana yesterday. But a vibrant community, celebrating both its past and its future, is here today for you to experience.

In the early 1960’s, the Die Heimat building was purchased by two men who turned it into a place of lodging that continues to this day. These gentlemen spent a great deal of time and effort redesigning the place.  When they were finished, the inn had nineteen guest rooms and quarters for the innkeeper. It is difficult to make a direct translation for the name “Die Heimat.” It means “the home place” but it goes deeper than that; it means “the place of my roots” or “our homeland.” It was called a “motor inn” in the early days; coffee and donuts were served in the morning, a precursor to the full breakfast being served today. Since then there have been several owners

Our second night we decided to venture out and find a restaurant in Iowa City. We came across an old power company along the dam. It was very cool to see how they turned it into a restaurant and we could see out in to the water through the giant windows. The food was good along with  the atmosphere. 





A Southeastern Iowa area destination spot for over 42 years. The turn of the century power plant and a fantastic view of the Iowa River provides the backdrop for a unique dinning experience. The Iowa River Power Restaurant combines a relaxed inviting atmosphere with the quality of a fine dining establishment. A Little IRP History 1916  Dam rebuilt. Coffer dams were constructed, a wheel house with two water wheels, wing dams below and flumes were added. 1930  Section of the plant was demolished and a new turbine was erected. December 31, 1941  Coralville electric plant merged with Iowa Illinois Gas and Electric Company. December 31, 1968  Iowa-Illinois Gas and Electric Company ceased operation at the Coralville plant. December 18, 1969  Building and 1.84 acres of land sold to the City of Coralville and the dam sold to the Iowa Conservation Commission, each for $1.00. May 25, 1971  City of Coralville sold building and land to local businessmen for $32,000. November 2, 1976  Building and land sold to Gary H. October 22, 1977  Iowa River Power Company restaurant opened. May 31, 1988  Gary Huysman and John Fisher purchased the building, land and business. April, 1989  New addition added to east wing of main dining room. March 7, 1996  John Fisher left. Gary H became sole owner of land and business. December 27, 2002  David and Danise Petsel purchased both restaurants.
On Sunday I thought it would be interesting to attend the Amana colony local church.I was told the early service is all in German. The women enter on one side and men on the opposite and sit on your assigned side. The women also typically wear shawls and caps. I decided that might be too far out of our comfort zone, that and we weren't sure about the whole teaching. I came up with the idea of attending the CS church plant, Veritas in Iowa City. It turned out to be such a blessing. We walked into the church and I immediately saw a couple I recognized. It was the couple that helped me with my kitchen counter. They were visiting as well and we all sat together. Pastor Jeff D was giving the sermon and it was a treat to hear him speak. He moved with the church plant several years ago and is greatly missed. It was a neat experience and a great sermon. From there we headed back home. 

 


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