was
a burst of excitement in the first half of the 19th century for
experiments in communal living. There were thousands of attempts of
groups who tried to live closely. A few have become famous. Some have
even been turned into tourist attractions.Brook Farm
There was
a burst of excitement in the first half of the 19th century for
experiments in communal living. There were thousands of attempts of
groups who tried to live closely. A few have become famous. Some have
even been turned into tourist attractions.
A writer who inspired many people in the 19th century to build
socialist communities was the frenchman Charles Fourier. His book was
translated into English and excited a number 
of
people in America to bring his ideas to earth. George Ripley was a
Unitarian minister and founded Brook Farm in Massachusetts. It is
famous because famous people were involved. Nathaniel Hawthorne
invested in it and lived there for several months. Emerson visited
but did not move in. In the end it fell apart after a few years.
Today it is a museum.
