A piece of Amana history is being renewed through a collaborative effort to replace the aging wood floor of the historic Festhalle Barn, one of the Amana Colonies’ most recognizable places.
Best known as the home of the Amana Colonies Oktoberfest, the Festhalle Barn, built in 1900, continues to welcome thousands of visitors and serves as an important community gathering place. The new floor will preserve its historic appearance while ensuring the building remains active and functional for years to come.
The project represents a partnership between the Amana Colonies Historic Sites Foundation, the Amana Society Barn Restoration Department, and local volunteers, combining historic preservation expertise, traditional craftsmanship, and community involvement.
“This is more than replacing a worn-out floor. It is about preserving the stories, craftsmanship and community that make the Amana Colonies unique,” said Kayleigh Myers, director of the Amana Colonies Historic Sites Foundation. “Projects like the Festhalle Barn ensure these special places remain part of Iowa’s heritage for generations to come.”
The new floor is being constructed using hand-milled pine boards selected and prepared to closely match the original flooring.
“The Amana Colonies were built through cooperation, craftsmanship and people working together,” said Lanny Haldy, President of Amana Colonies Historic Sites Foundation. “It is fitting that this preservation project is being accomplished in much the same way, with organizations and volunteers coming together to care for something that belongs to the entire community.”
Other recent improvements to the Festhalle Barn include installing new concrete entrance ramps to improve accessibility and adding the lower-level Keller event space, expanding how the historic building can serve the community and host events.