Amana Woolen Mill

The story of the Amana Woolen Mill begins long before the mill itself was built in Iowa. Its roots trace back to a religious community in Germany known as the Community of True Inspiration, a group that valued faith, hard work, and shared responsibility. In the early 1800s, members of this community established a woolen mill near Frankfurt, creating textiles both to support their community and to provide jobs for fellow members.

When persecution forced the group to leave Germany, they brought more than their beliefs with them—they brought their skills, tools, and traditions. In 1844, equipment from their German woolen mill was carefully packed and shipped across the Atlantic to a new settlement in New York. There, the community rebuilt the mill and continued producing wool textiles that helped sustain their growing population.

A decade later, the community sought a more isolated place where they could continue their communal way of life. In 1856, they relocated to Iowa, establishing what would become the Amana Colonies, a group of seven villages built around craftsmanship, agriculture, and shared labor.

Not long after arriving in Iowa, the community established what is now known as the Amana Woolen Mill, located along the Mill Race canal that powered the early machinery. The mill quickly became one of the economic centers of the colony. Textiles produced there were not only used by members of the community but were also sold across the country, earning a reputation for durability and quality.

From the beginning, the mill focused on creating practical, long-lasting wool products. Blankets, fabrics, and other textiles were made to withstand daily use and harsh Midwestern winters. The philosophy was simple: produce goods that were well made, reliable, and built to last.

Inside the mill, the process of creating wool blankets still follows many of the same steps used generations ago. Raw wool fibers are cleaned and carded to align them into workable strands. The fibers are then spun into yarn and woven into fabric on large looms. After weaving, the fabric is washed, finished, and brushed to create the softness and durability that wool blankets are known for.

Wool itself is one of the reasons these blankets have remained so popular for generations. The fibers naturally create small air pockets that help trap warmth while still allowing heat and moisture to escape. This makes wool blankets both warm and breathable—comfortable in cold weather while preventing overheating.

Over the decades, the Amana Woolen Mill has evolved while staying rooted in its traditions. Today the mill blends historic craftsmanship with modern equipment, allowing it to continue producing high-quality textiles while maintaining the character that has defined it for more than a century.

It also holds a unique place in American textile history. The Amana Woolen Mill is the only remaining textile mill still operating in the state of Iowa, continuing a tradition of American manufacturing that dates back more than 160 years.

In an era when much textile production has moved overseas, mills like Amana represent something increasingly rare: a living connection to the heritage of American craftsmanship. The blankets produced here carry with them generations of knowledge, skill, and dedication to quality.

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Price Creek Wool Throw Blanket

At Stillwell Trading Co., we are proud to carry blankets produced by the Amana Woolen Mill. Each piece reflects the history, craftsmanship, and enduring tradition of a mill that has been weaving American wool textiles since the mid-1800s.