Utopian Communities: What Are They, Have They Survived, and Where?
Class - In Person & Zoom | Available (Membership Required)
The U.S. experience of utopian communities in the 1800s served as a beacon for people to express their optimism that men could plant a more perfect community on new American soil. From literature such as Gulliver's Travels, many were formed, some internationally, but few survive today. We will explore those collective settlements, their founders, vision, and a brief history as an introduction to whet your appetite for more.
Robert Baxter
Dr. Robert Baxter is a native of Tidewater Virginia and currently a volunteer Contact Ranger and Historical Interpreter with False Cape and First Landing State Parks, and the Virginia Association of Parks. He holds a Dr. of Education and a Master of Education degree from UVA, and a BA in History from ODU. Half of this graduate work was in History. His postdoctoral work at the University of Dayton was in educational technology. He was Asst.. Dean & Instructor at UVA. He was formerly VP of a local technology company serving a variety of clients including NASA, DoD, State of NC, FEMA, Disney, and CMS. As Principal of Baxter Warner Assoc., he is also a historical interpreter on the Nature Bus of Norfolk.