The Oneida Community (1838-2006) Philiosophy, Practice, Evolution

Date of Award

2007

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Social Sciences

First Advisor

Hernandez, Sarah

Keywords

Utopia, Generational Differences, Commune, Descendants, 19th Century Utopian Experiments

Area of Concentration

Sociology

Abstract

This thesis explores the Oneida Community's evolution into a corporation, a living museum, and its memory in the lives of descendants. I map the influences, creation, and evolution of the Community from its inception through today. This research consists of twenty interviews to gage perceptions of and connections to the Oneida Community in descendants' lives; as well as historical original documents of the Community. The ideals of Oneida Community that descendants hold close to heart also are generalized values in today's society (education, perfectionism, community service). These positive expressions contrast with the interviewees' lower adherence to controversial aspects (complex marriage, religion) in Oneida's worldviews. Although these institutions no longer contain communal life, the Mansion House and Oneida Limited remain influenced by their foundation. The mission of the Mansion House is to preserve the history and memory of the Oneida Community. Some feel that Oneida Limited has betrayed its history, but I found that it continues to rely on the history of the good craftsmanship it emerged from through its marketing.

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