The strengths of the museum collections include artifacts from the 19th and early 20th centuries that were manufactured by the communal Amana Society. The Amana people produced approximately 75% of the collection items. They created textiles such as woolens and calico, clothing of all sorts made in the community (1500 pieces); furniture and furnishings (2400 pieces); and manufacturing and agricultural products and equipment. We have representative pieces of communal Amana crafts that include tinsmithing, blacksmithing, woodwork, basket weaving, carpet weaving, and needlework. Another strength of the collection is children’s toys made during the communal era, including dollhouses and dollhouse furnishings. The museum has a fine collection of original lithographs and a limited number of drawings and paintings by Amana artists.
Amana Heritage Society
Museum in Amana, Iowa
