The Museum of Amana History in Amana covers the history of the church and daily life in a communal system, which ended in 1932. There are personal belongings and trunks, as well as exhibits on domestic handiwork such as quilting and carpet-making. A restored washhouse, woodshed and schoolhouse are also on the grounds. Pella was settled in 1847 by a small band of Dutch immigrants seeking religious refuge. The Pella Historical Village, a collection of 21 buildings, includes a log cabin, wooden shoe shop, general store, costume display, gristmill, church and bakery.
Visitors also see photo and costume displays and immigrant possessions.
The two institutions are scheduled to be built in 2000. Exhibits will include the Underground Railroad, black soldiers' role in the Civil War, the Negro League and the Tuskegee airmen, said Joseph McGill Jr., executive director of the African American Heritage Foundation.