Communal History IS American History: A Communities In Conversation Program

Ready to explore America’s most fascinating social experiments?

Then don't miss the exclusive premiere of our new series, Communities in Conversation!

We’re kicking things off with Thomas Guiler, who will take us on a whirlwind tour of American history through the lens of intentional communities. Get ready to uncover the stories of the dreamers, radicals, and visionaries who dared to live differently.

About the Speaker

Thomas A. Guiler (Ph.D. Syracuse University) is the Director of Museum Affairs at the Oneida Community Mansion House. A scholar of intentional and utopian communities, Tom taught previously at the University of Delaware and Winterthur Program in American Material Culture. He researches and teaches 19th and 20th century American social and cultural history and has particular interests in social protest, material culture, decorative arts, and the digital and public humanities. He has published and presented on a wide variety of intentional communities including Byrdcliffe, Roycroft, and Rose Valley in addition to extensive work on the Oneida Community. He also served as the president of the Communal Studies Association. His book, The Handcrafted Utopia: Arts and Crafts Communities in America’s Progressive Era, which examines utopian communities in the Arts and Crafts Movement was recently published by the Richard W. Couper Press of Hamilton College.

Secure your virtual seat today for this program or save over 20% by locking in the entire series today and be part of the conversation!

The Communities In Conversation Series
August 20, 2026 - Communal History IS American History, Thomas A. Guiler, Oneida Community Mansion House

October 27, 2026 - "Perverted Spiritualistic Forces": John Humphrey Noyes versus William Hepworth Dixon in the Victorian Press, Christian Goodwillie – Hamilton College

November 24, 2026 - Sex, Communalism, and Utopia: How a 70s Commune Took Oneida into the Future, Cheryl Coulthard – Vice President, Communal Studies Association

January 26, 2027 - New Light Family Values: Sex & Salvation in Revolutionary New England, Douglas L. Winiarski – University of Richmond

April 1, 2027 - Unexpected Colonial American Composers: The Sisters of the Ephrata Cloister, Christopher Herbert – William Paterson University

April 15, 2027 - Camphill and the Ever-Changing Face of Intentional Community, Dan McKanan – Harvard Divinity School

April 27, 2027 - From Oneida to Ithaca: Enduring Themes in Intentional Communities, Jen Myers – Thrive EcoVillage Education Center / Center for Transformative Action

-All registrants will receive a Zoom link within 48 hours of registration.

-All proceeds support the preservation of the Oneida Community Mansion House and its educational programs.