MIC FLM
HX 656 O5 E74X GUIDE

Ericson, Jack T. Oneida Community; Books, Pamphlets, and Serials,. Glen Rock, New Jersey: Microfilming Corporation of America, 1973.  

15 reels. 35 mm.

      SCOPE:

            The Oneida Community has been called "the most successful of all American utopias." It was established by John H. Noyes, 1811-1886. He was deeply affected by the religious revival of the 1830's and left his legal studies to enter the ministry; he was eventually expelled for his unorthodox beliefs. One of his beliefs was the ultimate perfectability of man on earth and in 1848 he and a small group of followers established a communistic community in Oneida, New York. All property was held in common, individuals were considered married to everyone in the group, and all children were raised communally. The community remained intact until 1879, when John Noyes left. In 1881 it was reorganized as a business corporation, which evolved into the company which now makes Oneida silverplate. Although the community was small, 306 at its peak, and had no lasting effect on religious of social life, it serves as an example of the many experimental religious communities that were established in the nineteenth century. Documents are included from 1834-1972

      ARRANGEMENT:

            Reels 1-4: Books and pamphlets published by or for the Oneida Community, 1838-1879.

            Reels 5-15: Serials and newspapers published by the Oneida Community, 1834-1879.

FINDING AIDS:

Oneida Community; Books, Pamphlets, and Serials, 1834-1972. Glen Rock, New Jersey: Microfilming Corporation of America, 1973. Includes a history of the community and a checklist items in the collection. The guide is also reproduced at the beginning or the first reel.

      SUBJECTS:
            Religious Communities
            Oneida Community