True Inspirationists (Amanas)
Middle Amana, Iowa, USA
Religious, Christian
Multi-Family
Communal Property
1842-1932 (transitioned to join stock company)
1 Family 1, 2 Family 2, 3 Family 3, Family 4, 5 Woodshed 6 Wash House, 7 Latrine
The religious beliefs of the Amanas emphasized simplicity, plainness, and uniformity. Dwellings, and most buildings, were unadorned but well proportioned with pitched roof. Central hallways divides the dwelling into four, two-bedroom apartments. Three or four families shared the same entrance. A rabatt was built along the foundation for herbs and flowers with attached washhouse and woodshed.
In 1931, after almost one hundred years of communal living the Amanas underwent “The Great Change.” The Amanas transitioned from a system of common property into a joint-stock corporation and the rule of the church was replaced by a board of directors. The Amana Corporation is still operational today and produces refrigerators, fabrics, and furniture. The community has maintained certain features of the old social structure and traditions; such as free health care, care for the elderly and infirm.
Amanas End Notes
Kellenberger, Gordon, and Jean Kellenberger. Architecture of the Amana Colonies. Amana, IA: Amana Artists Guild, 1987. Page 2.
Land and Community Associates. Culture and Environment: A Challenge for the Amana Colonies. Charlottesville, Virgina: Amana Historic Landmark Committee , 1977. Page 18.
Kellenberger, Gordon, and Jean Kellenberger. Architecture of the Amana Colonies. Amana, IA: Amana Artists Guild, 1987. Page 3
Ungers, Liselotte, and Oswald Mathias Ungers. Kommunen in Der Neuen Welt: 1740-1971. Köln: Kiepenheuer & Witsch, 1972.