Amana Colonies

The Amana Colonies, located today near Iowa City, Iowa, originated as a communal venture in the 19th century. In 1854, the Community of True [Page 183]Inspiration, a group of German Pietists, established these settlements on a tract of 20,000 acres. A commune was quickly established and prospered until the beginnings of the Depression, in which this previously nearly self-sustaining local economy came to an end. Today, the Amana Colonies, like other antebellum communitarian locals, has become a tourist attraction for the American-history buff. The faith is still strong in the region, although since the end of communalism, there have been a number of other developments.

The Community of True Inspiration was founded in 18th-century Germany, distinguishing themselves from their largely Lutheran surroundings based on the sect's rejection of elaborate ritual and their insistence on the efficacy of continued revelation. These Inspirationists turned to the messages of “instruments,” modern prophetlike figures who informed the faithful of the will of God. In Europe, conflicts with neighbors and local governments forced the Inspirationists to relocate several times. It was not until the 1840s that the sect made the decision to set out for the New World.

Under the leadership of the instrument Christian Metz, more than Inspirationists made the journey from Germany to the first Inspirationist colony on American soil: Ebenezer, New York. In 1854, concerned with the arrival of neighboring settlements and the growth of nearby Buffalo, the decision was made to once again relocate. This time they went to Iowa, where they could settle at a greater distance from outsiders; seven villages were organized on 20,000 acres of land: Amana, West Amana, East Amana, South Amana, High Amana, Middle Amana, and Homestead.

Based on their reading of scripture and the instruction of their instrument, the Inspirationists developed a communal system in which all property was held in common, with the exception of a few household goods. Adherents lived in village apartments and dined in a communal kitchen. Each individual was assigned to work in a variety of occupations, determined partly on the society's view of gender roles. Men worked on the farms or as factory workers while women labored in the community school or kitchens.

Metz established a series of rigorous rules for life in the Amana Colonies. For example, settlers were forbidden from wearing certain “worldly” fashions, playing sports or card games, or running side businesses to accrue additional pocket money. During the 19th century, those who did not comply with the rules were encouraged to leave the settlements.