This building was built in 1867. There is an addition
that was added on later in 1883. It is made from brick made right there
in South Amana, as were most of the brick buildings. For more information
about the brick yard, please click here .
Kitchens in the Amanas were similar in apperance to the other
dwellings. The main difference between a kitchen house and living quarters
was in the additions. Most of the kitchens in South Amana and also the
other six villages had long additions adjoining a larger main house. If
you drive around the Amanas, you can almost pick out the kitchens due to this
feature.
The cooking and dinning were generally done on the main floor.
The kichen boss or kitchen helpers and their families generally lived in the
house that they worked in. Every kitchen had a long hearth and a large
oven for baking. They did not usually cook their own bread. This
was done by the village baker. All of the cooking was done over wood heat.
This meant that there was a great need for wood, considering that there were
many kitchens in each town and that they all cooked three regular meals a day!
Kitchens received their milk from the cows at the west end
of town. Milk was delivered to a Milch Buch. This was a large
stand along the street. Ice was also delivered here. There is an
old story about the milch buchs in South. One afternoon, some people
that were driving through South Amana were wanting directions. They stopped
to ask some of the locals that were near by. All of the locals were surprised
by the question of the strangers. Some of them laughed, some just watched.
All of a sudden, one quick-witted local shouted out in broken English, "Go to
milch buchs down and one over!" To see the looks of the stranger's faces!
It was good for a laugh and a fond memory.
This building is still standing. It is a private residence and the Ackerman Winery and Cheese House. Their wine has won many awards! Stop in and check it out!