Iowa - Amana Colonies
These 7 mysterious villages keep up their European traditions, but they also have endless summer festivals and events to enjoy.
The Amana Colonies have been a landmark on the Iowa prairie for over 150 years - reminding us of a simpler time. A time we often yearn for in today's rush of corporate ladder climbing and the endless pursuit of discount shopping.
The name Amana means to "remain faithful". We have, in many ways, remained faithful to our communal culture; historical buildings have been preserved; the Amana Church remains active; the traditions of quality products are alive in the Colonies. You will not see discount stores or chain restaurants; you will not see large retailers. Even our convenience store was built to respect the architectural traditions of the Colonies.
What will you see in the Amana Colonies? Historical buildings dating to the mid-1850's, made of local materials...wood, sandstone, locally fired brick and limestone. You will discover an amalgamation of architectural styles, coupling traditional German craftsmanship and the straight lines and details of Colonial America. You will see three board wooden fences, fruit trees and gardens. The smokestack of the woolen mill stands stark against the rising sun; the blossoms of the Lily Lake sway gently in the summer breeze.
Certainly there have been changes in the Colonies, fewer gardens, less trees, a new business here and there. But the spirit of communal Amana remains...it is reflected in the grape trellis standing sentinel against the side of a home or in the faded, wooden weather vane atop a centuries old barn. The spirit of communal Amana is alive in the hint of German accent you might catch on the street. The Amana Colonies are a place where you can handcraft your experience ... a place as unique as you ... a place where the best treasures are searched for. The Amana Colonies are not just another cookie-cutter getaway; stop-in, stay for awhile, escape the ordinary.
Antiques
Erenberger Antiques
319-622-3230
Primitive original surface furniture and small antique items displayed in a home that was built in 1856. A must see shop if you like country, primitives and Americana.
Evans & Le Clere
319-622-3088
Country primitives and American folk art artfully blended with mid-century modern furniture and design.
Opa's Tractor Barn Museum
31-622-3529
Walk through an 1883 barn with hand-pegged chestnut beams. Agricultural history memorabilia, Minneapolis-Moline, barnyard in miniature and more. America's agricultural past preserved for the future. Seasonal 10am-4pm.
Arts & Craftsmanship
AJ's in Homestead
319-622-6840
tpatti@msn.com
www.AJsCopperGarden.com
Brand new metal sculpture studio. Award-winning sculptors create unique metal artwork everyday. Artists' studios and metal sculpture gallery onsite. Come see it yourself! Buy direct from the artists.
AJ's Metal Art Gallery
319-622-3207
tpatti@msn.com
www.AJsCopperGarden.com
Amazing metal sculptures will bring out the smiles, as you stroll through a beautiful water garden and gallery filled with "one-of-a-kind" garden frogs, dragonflies and more.
Amana Arts Guild
319-622-3678
amanarts@juno.com
www.amanaartsguild.com
This quaint gallery and sales shop is a wonderful place to find historic folk arts and crafts from all seven villages. The guild hosts workshops, classes and the Amana Festival of the Arts.
Amana Furniture & Clock Shop
319-622-3291 or 800-247-5088
furniture@amanafurniture.com
www.amanafurniture.com
Amana Colonies' original furniture shop. Handcrafters of solid walnut, oak and cherry furniture and clocks in traditional, original and custom designs. Iowa's largest clock shop! Showroom and workshop gallery open year-round.
Broom & Basket Shop
319-622-3311
www.broomandbasket.com
Brooms and baskets locally made in West Amana. Unique solid wood gift products made by Schanz Furniture in South Amana. Basket making demonstrated occasionally.
Catiri's Art Oasis
319-622-3969
catiri@southslope.net
www.catiriartoasis.com
A true fine art oasis. Enjoy the Catiri's incredible glass works along with over 100 of the most talented Iowa and regional artists working in various mediums. NICHE Award recipient!
Creative Colony
319-622-3753
Handcrafted gifts and home decor made exclusively by Iowa artisans. "From our home to yours." Open daily March through December; open Friday, Saturday and Sunday during January and February.
Custom Cutlery & Ironworks
319-622-3482
sales@customcutlery.com
www.customcutlery.com
Quality ironwork hand forged on site. Home accessories. Handcrafted knives for kitchen and sport. Industrial Machine Shop Museum. Open year round.
Fischer Fine Art Gallery & Studio
319-622-7017
greg@southamanagranary.com
www.southamanagranary.com
South Amana Granary - Home of Fischer Fine Art Gallery and Studio - Featuring art work created by Fine Art Graduate Students from local Universities in addition to the oil paintings and photographs of Artist and Owner Gregory Fischer.
Giant Rocker & West Amana Wood Shop
319-622-3315
Solid walnut rocker, 11 feet tall, 670 pounds. Unique wood products. Between Broom and Basket Shop and Philip Dickel Basket Museum Gallery. Closed Sundays and holidays.
Heritage Designs Quilting & Needlework
319-622-3887
info@heritagedesignsquiltshop.com
www.heritagedesignsquiltshop.com
A 2009 Top 10 Quilt Shop! Over 3500 fabrics from contemporary to traditional. Featured designs by local artists. Dovo scissors and unique accessories. Quilting, cross-stitch, embroidery, tatting, punch needle. Open daily.
Iowa Theatre Artists Company
319-622-3222
info@iowatheatreartists.org
www.iowatheatreartists.org
A non-profit professional theatre organization with the mission of mounting high-quality public performances; touring; the development of new theatre artists; and targeting underserved audiences.
Michele Maring Miller Studio/Gallery
319-622-6330
www.maringmillergallery.com
Award-winning artist at work in her spacious and peaceful studio and gallery. Located in an 1871 sandstone church in the center of the village of West Amana. Small room of antiques.
Mini-Americana Barn Museum
319-622-3058
barnmus@netins.net
www.barnmuseum.com
Two hundred miniature replicas, in the scale one inch to one foot, built by woodworker Henry Moore telling early rural history from 1880 to 1930.
Old Creamery Theatre Co.
319-622-6194 or 800-352-6262
info@oldcreamery.com
www.oldcreamery.com
Live professional theatre company celebrating 20 years in the Amana Colonies. Catch a performance April - December on one of two stages in Amana.
Personalized Wood Products
319-622-3100 / 319-622-3097
pwp@southslope.net
personalizedwoodproducts.googlepages.com
Schanz Furniture & Refinishing Shop
319-622-3529
www.schanzfurniture.com
Custom built furniture in your choice of woods: walnut, cherry and oak. Furniture on floor for sale. Furniture repaired and refinished plus chair caning and seat weaving. Closed Sundays and holidays.
Troy Richard Thomas Art Gallery & Studio
319-622-3078
West Broom & Basket Shop
319-622-3315
www.broomandbasket.com
Watch broom making and basket making when artisans are working. Closed Sundays and holidays. Next door to Philip Dickel Basket Museum Gallery - exhibit open May to October.
Leisure
Amana Colonies Golf Club
319-622-6222 or 800-383-3636
amanagolf@southslope.net
www.amanagolfcourse.com
The course features shining ponds, a variety of wildlife, and striking scenery that add to the aesthetic beauty and enjoyment of the game. Consistently ranked highly, the course has won many national honors.
Amana Colonies RV Park & Event Center
319-622-7616 or 800-471-7616
rvamana@amanas.net
www.amanarvpark.com
60-acre RV park and event center near Amana. Full and water/electric hook-ups, showers, dump station, propane, laundry. Store, free Wi-Fi. Buildings ideal for group rallies or special events. RV Park open April 15 - October 31.
Colony Visits...Heritage Destinations
319-622-6178
info@colonyvisits.com
www.colonyvisits.com
Receptive group services. We're your doorway to hospitality in the historical Amana Colonies and the interesting Eastern Iowa area. All-inclusive tour packages with step-on guides, meals, sightseeing, etc.
Iowa Valley Resource Conservation & Development
319-622-3264
info@ivrcd.org
www.ivrcd.org
The Iowa Valley RC&D is a non-profit organization whose mission is to conserve and develop our resources in the Iowa and Cedar Valleys through education, demonstration and partnerships.
Restaurants
Colony Inn Restaurant
319-622-3030
The restaurant where family-style dining began in 1935. Breakfast, lunch and dinner served daily. Specials, sandwiches and house made desserts. Locally made beer and wine available.
Nordy's Subs & Salads
319-622-3028
Ox Yoke Inn
319-622-3441 or 800-233-3441
info@oxyokeinn.com
www.oxyokeinn.com
"An Amana Colonies tradition since 1940." Daily lunch, dinner and Sunday Brunch. Child's menu. Sandwiches, daily specials and home baked desserts. Wine, beer and cocktails. Gifts. Free wireless Internet.
Shopping
Amana General Store
319-622-7650 or 800-418-8318
www.amanageneralstore.com
Amana's original store since 1858 features a wide variety of gifts, specialty foods, locally made wine, Amana food products, cookbooks, cards, and more.
Amana Woolen Mill
319-622-3432 or 800-222-6430
www.amanawoolenmill.com
Visit Iowa's only operating woolen mill and see how famous Amana® wool and cotton blankets are made. Sweaters, apparel and personalized embroidery are also available. Bus/RV parking. Open daily.
Ash Lynn Glitz
319-622-5115
ashlynnglitz@southslope.net
www.ashlynnglitz.com
Quaint shop on main street Amana offering an extensive collection of sterling silver chains and Native American Turquoise. Experience our unique hunting memorabilia featuring Winchester, Colt, etc. Gifts and antiques.
Azul World Treasures
319-622-3018
ithielcatiri@yahoo.com
www.azulworldtreasure.com
Come see our exiting collection of jewelry and mineral specimens from around the world. Kids of all ages enjoy hunting in our "Treasure Mine". Come find your hidden treasure today!
Christmas Room
319-622-3692 or 888-516-7769
www.christmasroom.com
Located in the Amana General Store; featuring Pipka, Dept 56, Byers Choice, Fontanini and a wide variety of holiday ornaments and trims.
Clothes Encounter
319-622-3648
Look and feel great wearing something special! A quaint boutique featuring women's collections of casual and contemporary clothing. Accessorize with our unique pieces of jewelry. Located inside the Ronneburg Restaurant.
Fern Hill Gifts & Quilts
319-622-3627
fernhill@southslope.net
www.fernhill.net
Handmade Iowa quilts, antique quilts, fabric and Fern Hill original fabric, architectural antiques, antique furniture, artist bears, gifts, cards, home decorating, garden, florals, sweets and beverages. Three brimming floors! Open all year.
GermanSense LLC
319-622-3112 or 800-523-8077
lothar@germansense.com
www.germansense.com
Books, music, movies, about German culture, language and history. By appointment only.
High Amana General Store
319-622-3232
www.amanaheritage.org/museums.html#high
This original 1858 village store looks much as it did 100 years ago and offers a variety of merchandise. Operated by the Amana Heritage Society. Open daily April through October.
Area Attractions
Cedar Rapids
319-398-5009 or 800-735-5557
www.cedar-rapids.com
Just 17 miles north on highway 151, Cedar Rapids offers a variety of cultural, historic and ethnic attractions, including the National Czech and Slovak Museum, Brucemore Mansion, the African American Historical Museum and Cultural Center of Iowa, an IMAX Theatre, Cedar Rapids Museum of Arts and Usher's Ferry Historic Village. Cedar Rapids Kernels Baseball and Rough Riders Hockey offer semi-professional sports.
Historic Iowa County
www.co.iowa.ia.us
Just minutes to the west in Williamsburg, brick paved streets surround a picturesque town square. Contact the Chamber of Commerce at 319-668-1500 for more information about their unique shops, large outdoor aquatic center and recreational facilities. Step back in time at the Pioneer Heritage Museum in nearby Marengo, also home to a Carnegie Library. Enjoy the Iowa County Fair July 12-15, 2007. Throw in a line at Lake Iowa, near Millersburg or hike around this scenic 600-acre park, 319-655-8465.
Iowa City and Coralville
319-337-6592 or 800-283-6592
www.iowacitycoralville.org
Home of the University of Iowa and internationally recognized University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City and Coralville are located 18 miles to the east. The University of Iowa offers several museums, including Iowa's first capital building. Downtown Iowa City provides shopping, art, entertainment and dining experiences. The Iowa Children's Museum is located in the Coral Ridge Mall.
