For many, the American Dream has been an individual pursuit, or that of a family, striving to obtain economic and philosophical freedom while attaining the modern necessities and luxuries of a consumer based society as well as maintaining the status quo. A quest of this magnitude has led to the estrangement between resident and community in many cases. Not all communities are created equal.
In Northern Wilmington, there are three villages that chose another path. The Ardens are made up of the Village of Arden, founded in 1900, Ardentown, founded in 1922, and Ardencroft, founded in 1950. Founders Frank Stevens, a sculptor, and Will Price, an architect, envisioned a utopian like community based on the economic philosophy of Henry George (1839-1897) as well as the Arts and Crafts movement of William Morris which advocated a return to village life. George’s writings advocated the Single-Tax theory which allowed only for the taxation of unimproved land in which the public added value, like roads. The value of natural resources and public investment for the public would be recovered and the profit from labor and capital would not be impeded from their efforts.
In today’s world, taxes are numerous, but the Ardens have maintained their Single-Tax philosophy pertaining to the land. In the Ardens, a person's house is not taxed, only the land it sits on. The land is owned in common and managed by three trustees. This gives each resident a much higher stake in the planning and maintenance of their community. A six month residency is the only requirement to enjoy full governmental privileges in this grass roots democracy. Also, from the inspiration of the Garden-City Movement, half the land is woods and open space with foot paths criss-crossing the village. Open greens and forested areas coupled with Tudor and Elizabethan architecture give the Ardens a unique, picturesque look.
The Ardens are probably best known for artists, theatre and a close knit community. The Arden Club is home to various Gilds that participate in theatre, music, folk dancing, politics, scholarly research, gardening, dinners, a library, and swimming. Many of the events occur at the Gild Hall, a common meeting place, as well as the Buzz Ware Village Center where lots of other activities and classes take place. The Ardens also have a museum run by the Archives Committee, which like the Gilds, is conducted and operated by a number of volunteers with the exception of the curator. Every year the Shakespeare Gild presents a Spring Show in the outdoor Frank Stevens Memorial Theatre. This past June, the Shakespeare Gild presented “The Tempest,” directed by Henry Porreca. Also, every year in September, scores of volunteers get together to present the world with the Arden Fair, a show case of the many virtues, beauty and art of the three villages. The fair includes: live local music, food and drinks, arts and crafts, children’s games, a used book sale, exhibitions, demonstrations, and more.
Grass-roots town hall style democracy, volunteerism, and the love of nature and art make the Ardens a modern day utopia. It may not be perfect and always looking to improve, but her residents strive to live up to the principles and virtues of the village rather than the individual self serving mentality of modern day society. However, it must be stated, that Arden residents possess no shortage of individuality and eccentricity.
Check out the websites for more info about Arden:
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