From Gems Press
By William Alfred Hinds
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American Communities by William A. Hinds is a groundbreaking exploration of communal living experiments in 19th-century America. First published in 1878, and updated in 1902 — and digitized and re-typeset by Gems Press in 2025 — this meticulously detailed account chronicles more than 60 cooperative colonies, religious utopias, and intentional communities—ranging from the Shakers and the Oneida Community to lesser-known ventures like Aurora and Icaria.
Hinds, both a participant and observer, traveled widely and lived in several communities to report first-hand on their principles, daily life, economic models, and spiritual or ideological foundations. His writing combines ethnographic insight with economic and social analysis, making American Communities a foundational text for anyone interested in cooperative living, social reform, or alternative economies.
This republication is faithful to the original book, including all the original images, while offering a clean digitized and re-typeset version for modern readers. Whether you’re a student of American history, a community builder, or simply curious about the roots of intentional living, American Communities offers inspiration and guidance from a rich past of radical social experimentation.
