History
Influential factors in bringing the families together were their understanding of the economic philosophy of Henry George on land use, and, more immediately, the teachings of Ralph Borsodi and his School of Living in Suffern, New York, on homesteading. Most of the original 13 families were members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), but the founders were clear that the community should be inclusive and open to applicants regardless of race, religion, or nationality—which was very unusual for housing communities in the United States at the time.
The founders also hoped that in a community run cooperatively, the lives of the residents would be enriched by an awareness of the similarities and differences among them in both ideas and lifestyles. Bryn Gweled exists because the struggles and the efforts of so many are making this dream a reality. Bryn Gweled is more than the land, the homesteads, or the families who live here. It is a way of life based on the importance and fundamental dignity of the individual, and the necessity for individuals to work together responsibly to build a community.
The first steps to create Bryn Gweled Homesteads took place in the fall of 1939 when 13 Philadelphia families began looking for a way to move to the country together. They agreed that their primary purpose would be to establish a democratic community where people of different backgrounds and heritage could develop and maintain homesteads which would not be possible individually. The sharing of both responsibility and pleasure cooperatively would create a unique living experience for mutual enrichment. They could work together to resolve issues for the common good, as well as share in community recreational and social activities. In May of 1940, the families pooled their financial resources to purchase a 240 acre farm for $18,000. The community was incorporated as Bryn Gweled Homesteads, Inc.
Bryn Gweled is Welsh, meaning “Hill of Vision.” The founders’ idea was to establish homesteads with enough land for each family to have some degree of self-sufficiency and to be able to enjoy the beauties of nature and participate in outdoor recreation. The area was surveyed and 81 lots of approximately two acres each were identified. The remaining grounds were reserved for everyone’s use as “common land.”
