Let me answer this one, Mary, then Larry can grade me on my answer.
The Amana people lived the life of isolation, making do with what they had and what they could provide by working together, for over 70 years. But due to various events, by 1932, the old isolated religious order came to an end. Society changed, phones, transportation, those kinds of things brought outsiders into the Amanas; those same things took the Amanans outside. Economic changes were a factor as well, and there was some social unrest among the younger members. A lot contributed to the 'Change'.
But to answer your question, yes, both families were a part of the Amanas, having been born into it. Its "purity" ended shortly before both Larry and Wilma were born, so they grew up from the beginnings of the 'Change'.
It is a fascinating story, the way of life is amazing and something everybody would benefit from knowing. I keep learning new things every day, even though I tried to memorize everything I was told when I was there.
I hope Larry comes along and answers your question and adds to my answer, but I also want him to grade mine. I am always a little unsure of my answers about the Amanas. It's a sense of history, of well being, of living as a group instead of an individual and it's hard to explain. But I love hearing about it, and seeing the amazing architecture and learning the 'why's' of everything. Amazing place, wonderful people. I could talk about it for days.
