The Amana Colonies were founded by members of the Community of True Inspiration; a Pietist sect that originated in southwest Germany in 1714. Beginning in 1842; members of the sect migrated to New York and founded the Eben-Ezer Society; in which land; shops; and homes were owned communally. Members worked at assigned jobs; attended 11 church services each week; and received food; clothing; and shelter. Beginning in 1855; the community relocated to a 26;000-acre tract in eastern Iowa; where they founded the seven Amana villages; each with its own church; school; general store; craft shop; and barns. A disastrous fire; economic downturns; and a growing dissatisfaction with communal life led the members to vote to reorganize as a separate business and church organization in 1932. Images of America: Amana Colonies: 1932�1945 examines a time when the Amana people worked to preserve aspects of their traditional religious and cultural life while; simultaneously; learning to embrace American life and the waves of people who visited these unique villages in growing numbers.
2015-06-01 2015-06-01File Name: B01H50EJUY
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