NANSA Gen.Corres. Woodbury, Benjamin C. II MARLBOROUGH STREET BOSTON June 18, 1928 Dr. Alice Stone Blackwell, 3 Monadnock Street, Dorchester, Massachusetts Dear Miss Blackwell: I have just read with much interest your notes on the death of Mrs. Pankhurst in the Boston Herald. It is most inspiring. I once attended and spoke at a suffrage meeting in Portsmouth, New Hampshire that was addressed by Witter Bynner, and others. In view of the general attitude toward the woman movement at the present time, and that of fifty or a hundred years ago, may I call your attention to a program of The Shaker Valley Association which is to be held in Harvard during the month of August. We are already preparing a very interesting list of papers. I enclose a copy of the preliminary announcement. I wonder if you could come out to Harvard some morning in August and give us a paper or a talk on the Woman Movement, or something akin to it. The above address will reach me. Very sincerely yours, Dr. Benjamin C Woodbury [*P.S. I regret that this is [?] but Mrs. Woodbury and I would be delighted to [?]. B.C.W. Tahanto Harvard, Massachusetts The Shaker Valley Association Preliminary Announcement Purposes Ideals lie at the root of civilization and should be the basis of all civic, religious, economic and social institutions. Foundations are needed upon which these ideals may be set forth freely, fearlessly and unselfishly. The Shaker Valley Association is such a foundation. It endeavors to combine these concepts with the aims and purposes of modern life. Shaker Village Shaker Village, the historic site of one of the earliest Shaker communities, is situated in Shaker Valley in the town of Havard, Massachusetts, about thirty-five miles from Boston. The memorable "square House", built in the latter part of the eighteenth century by Shadrack Ireland, still stands in the village. Here Mother Ann Lee, founder of the Shaker movement, lived during her stay in Harvard. The Shakers were a highly religious and idealistic people. They are now gone from their former abodes. Yet the spirit of their lives and the example of their industry are an ever present reality and inspiration. The Enclave of Tahanto Shaker Valley is now connected with the enclaves of Tahanto and Shakerton. Tahanto was the first of the Massachusetts Single Tax communities. In accordance with the ideas of Henry Geoge, such areas provide ample opportunity for the furtherance of idealism in the individual and community life. Rentals under the Single Tax are based solely upon site values, and are not dependent on improvements. Tahanto offers land on economic rental in accordance with Single Tax principles. Property Holdings THere is opportunity in these enclaves for individual and collective holdings in the various enterprises being undertaken. Several houses have already been incorporated within the enclave of Tahanto. It is proposed that the Association when organized either purchase or take over on long leases whatever property is still available in order to provide adequate buildings for its activities. Accomodations for summer visitors will be possible during the coming season. Activities The Shaker industries included the manufacture of various household articles of wood and wrought iron, cabinet making, weaving, herb raising, farming, horticulture and the like. It is planned to restore some of these industries, and as many as possible of the arts and crafts. Agricultural pursuits will also be encouraged. 2. Arrangements are being made for a community library, a village theatre, and a school embodying advanced educational methods. Health Projects Some of the Shaker houses and others of modern structure are being devoted to the interests of health and physical upbuilding. Wholesome activity in the various arts and crafts will afford the preoccupation at times so essential to convalescence. There will be a community kitchen under skilled direction where special dietaries can be supervised. Pure water from the original Shaker spring still courses through the old aqueduct. The soft air and blue of the distant hills and mountains enthrall the visitor to this pleasant valley. Meetings of the Association It is the purpose of the Association to encourage courses of lectures, conferences, dramatic and other social activities, especially during the summer season. Shaker Village is about two miles from Fruitlands, the restored site of the famous experiment of Bronson Alcott and Charles Lane; and here the latter came after their Utopian experiment. Brook Farm and Concord School of Philosophy had their day, but the summer school idea is a dominant one in modern education. Meetings of the Association and many of the social gatherings will be held in the old Shaker church, which, with its proximity to Holy Hill, makes this spot ideal for philosophic, ethical, economic, and other summer schools. The Shaker Valley Associates Active and Associate members will comprise the Shaker Valley Associates. Active membership will be limited to members of the enclave of Tahanto. Associate membership will comprise those who, though not members of the enclave, are still interested in the activities of the Association. Annual membership in the Association will be three dollars and will include admittance to all lectures, conferences, literary, musical and other social activities Shaker Valley is a beautiful stretch of land lying between the uplands beyond Concord, about midway between Boston and Worchester. Harvard has an altitude of four hundred feet. This, with other unique features, makes the locality unexcelled for the projects in view. It is reached by motor over the Mohawk Trail, or by the Boston and Maine Railroad, via the Worchester and Nashua, or the Fitchburg lines. Ayer Junction is approximately two miles distant. Bus lines from Boston, Lowell and Worchester make the valley more accessible. You are invited as one of a selected list, to join in the rehabilitation of Shaker Valley, and in the proposed activities. For further details regarding the Association, address the temporary secretary-treasurer, Gertrude O'Neill Woodbury, Tahanto, Harvard, Massachusetts. For details regarding summer school activities, address Rev. A. W. Littlefield, Middleborough, Massachusetts. For information relative to land tenure in Tahanto, address the Trustees of Tahanto, Harvard, Massachusetts. Transcribed and reviewed by contributors participating in the By The People project at crowd.loc.gov.