Amana, Iowa

.Unlike the cool rainy day of yesterday this has been a sunny clear day with temps in the 60's. This afternoon we went to a few shops in Amana and the Amana Heritage museum where we learned more about the Amana Colonies. In 1855 they came to Iowa and purchased 3300 acres for $1.50 per acre and began moving from the Buffalo, New York area. The communal style of living lasted until 1932 when they voted to discontinue the communal style and began living as individual families. During those years they established 7 colonies in the valley here. You were supplied with living quarters, meals and a credit to buy all of the things necessary .
In return you gave then an honest days work. In 1932 when they changed many of the people had a hard time adjusting to cooking their own meals etc.
At 3 this afternoon we met a couple from Cedar Rapids that we had met at the rally last week. They have manufacturing plant where they make stainless steel conveyors that are used in ethanol plants etc. They have a very impressive plant. We saw a lathe that is 45ft. long and one 32 ft. long. They live at the villages in Ocala during the winter so we will see them this winter.