An experimental communal society aimed at achieving social equality and shared prosperity.
Background and Founding Principles
The Utopian Community of Modern Times was a notable experiment in creating an ideal society, existing from 1851 to 1864 in what is now Brentwood, New York. Founded by Josiah Warren and Stephen Pearl Andrews, this community embodied Warren’s principles of individual sovereignty and equitable commerce, which he developed after his disillusionment with Robert Owen’s socialist community at New Harmony, Indiana.
Warren, an inventor and industrialist, advocated for individual sovereignty—the moral right of a person to have bodily integrity and be the exclusive controller of one’s own body and life. He also believed in equitable commerce, where goods and services should be traded based on labor exerted rather than subjective value. These ideas formed the foundation of Modern Times and set it apart from other utopian experiments of the era.
Establishment and Early Days
In 1851, Warren and Andrews, a lawyer and abolitionist, established the Utopian Community of Modern Times on a 750-acre tract of land on Long Island. The location was chosen for its proximity to New York City, which they believed would provide a market for the community’s products and services. Land was sold at cost to settlers under specific conditions to prevent profiteering.
William Metcalf was the first to build a home in the spring of 1851. By 1855, the New York State census reported 85 residents, growing to 126 by 1860. The community attracted a diverse group of individuals, including intellectuals, artists, craftsmen, and laborers, all drawn to its promise of personal freedom and economic equality.
Life and Organization in Modern Times
The community operated on a non-hierarchical basis, with no formal government or centralized authority. Instead, it relied on a system of voluntary cooperation and mutual aid. Members exchanged goods and services using “labor notes,” a form of local currency representing hours of work performed. This system was intended to ensure fair compensation and prevent exploitation, as each individual’s labor was valued equally.
Modern Times developed its own infrastructure, with residents constructing homes and workshops, many designed to be portable. The community established various small-scale industries, including a sawmill, a gristmill, and craft workshops. Education was also a priority, with a progressive school system emphasizing practical skills and critical thinking.
The community was notable for its commitment to individual freedom, free love, and gender equality. These values were reflected in shared child-rearing responsibilities and progressive attitudes towards marriage and relationships. Despite its anarchistic nature, with no government or laws, the community reportedly saw no crime or violence during its existence.
Challenges and Decline
Despite its innovative approach, Modern Times faced significant challenges. The reliance on labor notes limited trade with the outside world and made it difficult to acquire necessary goods and materials. Economic problems arose as the community struggled to achieve self-sufficiency and faced competition from the broader market economy.
The economic panic of 1857 and the onset of the Civil War contributed to the community’s decline. The war presented a dilemma for residents who believed in individual sovereignty, yet 15 men from Modern Times enlisted in the Union Army, a higher proportion than from the Town of Islip as a whole. This departure, combined with ongoing economic difficulties, led to a gradual decline in the community’s population and vitality.
Legacy and Transformation
By the mid-1860s, the original vision of Modern Times had largely faded. In 1864, community members decided to change the name of their town to Brentwood, partly to escape the unfavorable publicity associated with the name Modern Times. This marked the end of the utopian experiment, as the settlement evolved into a more conventional town.
While few physical remnants of the original settlement remain, the area’s history has been preserved through local historical societies and academic research. The Utopian Community of Modern Times is remembered as a significant experiment in alternative social organization, influencing later movements and thinkers. Its emphasis on individual freedom, equitable exchange, and progressive social values continues to inspire discussions about utopian ideals and the possibilities of creating more equitable and just societies.
image via Long Island Press
