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Iowa's Amana Colonies

In 19th century America, many communal societies formed, but only a few remain. One in Iowa, the Amana Colonies, consists of a group of seven interdependent communities known for the appliance industry they founded - and their industrious population.

Their heritage is on display, and they bask in the attention given to their homestyle meals, brewhouse beer, and durable and delightful furniture. While the emphasis is on small-town rural life, their name and fame attract more than a million people a year to visit their delightful homes.

But the question remains: Who created the Amana Colonies, and what were their goals? What were their beliefs and their practices? When did things change, and why? How did they become famous for the manufacture of appliances? What is their structure today? These are the questions Russ Gifford will explore as we look at the history and the heritage of the Amana Colonies.