Bryn Gweled History
In the late 1930s, many Quakers and others were giving
considerable thought to what solutions there might be to the
seemingly intractable social problems of the day. One idea to come
forth was that "intentional communities" might give some relief to
the isolation and marginalization that plagued so many.
The first steps to create Bryn Gweled Homesteads took
place in the fall of 1939 when a dozen 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. More
importantly, 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, when this
tract of land was purchased, 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.”
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.