Comments on: Historical Quality At Amana Woolen Mill

By: Jeff & Crystal

Jeff & Crystal — Tue, 11 Feb 2020 21:05:13 +0000

In reply to Lyn Simmons. It sounds like the changes that are happening will still keep Amana a great place to explore.

By: Lyn Simmons

Lyn Simmons — Tue, 11 Feb 2020 20:34:51 +0000

I love the Amana Colonies! Favorite place of all!! I worked at the Mill in the “Salesroom” for 12 years!! Did a mainly Accts. Rec. And Payable. Was there when we got our first computer!! Boy that was something!! Lol Worked with the best of people and loved them all dearly. Anxious to see new Hotel…

By: Jeff & Crystal

Jeff & Crystal — Tue, 11 Feb 2020 19:15:03 +0000

In reply to David Rettig.

David, thanks for straightening out the record for everyone. We highly recommend a visit to the Amana Colonies as a way to explore the history of the region. You can find more information at http://www.amanacolonies.com

By: David Rettig

David Rettig — Tue, 11 Feb 2020 19:09:55 +0000

In reply to Joyce Kitson.

As an Amana resident I need to correct a few statements made by Joyce. The Amana Woolen Mill still makes blankets and throws and the weaving is not just for show. The products they produce are still sold in the Amana Colonies and shipped directly to the consumers around the country. The Amana Woolen Mill is currently undergoing a makeover to include a 65 room upscale hotel but even after the hotel is complete weaving will still take place on the firsst floor.

The Amana Furniture Shop continues to make handcrafted furniture of the highest quality out of solid wood and the Amana Meat Shop produces hams and sausage including their classic bratwurst and award winning Bockwurst. They ship their products to customers around the country and of course are open daily.

The wineries offer wine that is locally made, in some cases, the wine is made at the vineyard site which is about 10 miles away and samples are given in the sampling rooms in the village. The wines are no longer just fruit wines but award winning grape wines as well. Not all of the wines are sweet as they have expanded their offerings to include dinner wines. The beers are made on premises at Millstream brewing. Baskets and Brooms are made in West Amana at the Broom and Basket Shop. There are so many items made in Amana it is amazing for 7 villages with a population of 1,500.

Have the Amana Colonies changed since the 1960s, of course they have. If you are looking to experience the olden days then a trip to the Amana Heritage Society’s museum is in order or take the van tour offered at the Visitor Center or maybe partake in a communal meal. It’s all there to be discovered.

By: Jeff & Crystal

Jeff & Crystal — Tue, 11 Feb 2020 17:44:56 +0000

In reply to Joyce Kitson. We certainly hope they have a rebirth of interest in the old ways.

By: Joyce Kitson

Joyce Kitson — Tue, 11 Feb 2020 14:29:39 +0000

The current Woolen mill is just barely a shadow of it’s former self. I remember going in to watch my mom run the spinning machine upstairs. Of course this was in the 1960s when much more of the work was done at Amana. Now they do a bit of weaving just for show. I have lived next to the Amana Colonies for almost all my life. I have seen the ‘old Amana’ diminish and more and more shops for the tourist trade pop up. The winery no longer makes the mulberry and red clover wines from product harvested by the locals. They use concentrated juices from who knows where now. Their wine vats are just for show. If you want to see any of the Old Amana you better hurry up. Things are going modern and they are losing their old ways very rapidly as I see it.