Paper Rack

Every home in old Amana had a Paper Wall Rack even though society members were not encouraged to read much from the outside world. The design of the rack, made by the local carpenter, varied a great deal from one to the other. They were made in the cabinet shops or in homes as a hobby craft. The rack was a hanging piece with a flat wood back parallel to the wall, with a second piece of carved wood, or fret work cut with a jig saw, attached to the lower edge of the back to provide a pocket for holding papers or reading material.