The Arden Fair has always been a destination of mine, even before I became a vendor. It is a day full of talented artists, good friends, and great food.
I live only about 2 miles away from Arden; however, I never knew the community had such an unique history. Gregory Coin from the Wilmington Tourism Examiner explains why Arden is so intriguing.
Secret destinations in Delaware: Echoes of utopia still emanate from this unique artist community
"Among its most notable former residents are Upton Sinclair (1878-1968), author of The Jungle; Harry Kemp (1883-1960), known as the Vagabond Poet; Ella Reeve Bloor (1862-1951), a founder of the communist party in America; and Scott Nearing (1883-1983) American radical economist, educator, writer, political activist, and advocate of simple living.
I am referring, of course, to Arden, Delaware, founded in 1900 by visionary sculptor Frank Stephens and architect William Lightfoot Price. Arden and its sister villages, Ardentown and Ardencroft, were conceived around revolutionary ideas like Henry George's single tax, William Morris’s Arts and Crafts principles, and Peter Kropotkin's theories of community.
With the financial help of Joseph Fels, a wealthy soap manufacturer and single-tax proponent, Stephens purchased a 162-acre farm six miles north of Wilmington on June 12, 1900. The community was named after the idyllic Forest of Arden from Shakespeare's As You Like It. Stephens and Price adopted "You are welcome hither" (a line from King Lear) as the community motto because they wanted the village to be a place open to people of all economic levels and political views.
The single-tax movement, popular in the U.S. and other countries from the 1890s until the 1930s, believed that the best way to raise government money was by a single tax on land only. The tax would be based on its assessment, whether the land was improved or not, thus recovering the value of natural resources and public-created value (like roads) for the public, and not impeding labor and capital from profiting from their efforts.
William Morris, an Englishman, rebelled against modern cities and industry, advocating “truth to materials” and traditional craftsmanship using simple forms. There was also an emphasis on medieval, romantic or folk styles of decoration, so Shakespeare was and remains an idol to many in the community.
Kropotkin was primarily an anarchistic communist. And many of his ideas regarding social and community living were used by the founders of Arden to advance the vision of a return to village life.
By law, land in Arden cannot be sold; instead it has a renewable 99-year lease. People are free to improve it as they choose, but the land-lease fee will not increase because of improvements. The land is held in a trust, administered by three elected trustees. Most leaseholders are residential, and the rent is based upon the square footage rather than the improvements to the land.
At first, Arden was a summer community. People lived the simple life in tents or rustic dwellings. And by 1909 there were over 100 leaseholders and 50 houses, even though only 50 were year-round residents.
The founding of the Arden Club in 1908 provided an organizational core for community activity. Interest groups and task groups were called gilds rather than committees. From the beginning, fairs, pageants, and Arden holidays filled the calendar. Many of these events continue today through various community organizations including the Arden Recreation and Community Association (ACRA) and the Arden Club, as well as through some of the village committees for each of the three Ardens. In fact, the Georgist Gild continues to offer courses in Georgist economics even to this day.
The Buzz Ware Village Center (a.k.a. "The Buzz"), and the Arden Club’s Gild Hall across the street are at the heart of village life in The Ardens. It’s here that residents gather to paint, perform, play and peruse hand-crafted treasures created by their talented neighbors.
Not surprisingly, Arden and its sister villages, Ardentown and Ardencrofte, are on the National Historic Register – more because of the cultural landscape, rather than their land or buildings. But the many original structures, including old farm houses, converted barns and artist studios, make The Ardens a unique and eclectic design destination, as well.
Sound like fun? Well you’re in luck! Every year on the Saturday of Labor Day Weekend residents throw a gigantic party called the Arden Fair and Antiques Market. The Fair features handmade crafts (many of which are local), antiques, used books, plants, live music in the Shady Grove, children's rides, a variety of foods, an Art Show, Gild booths and more. Admission is free and free shuttle buses are available.
So get those creative juices flowing and rush on over the Arden Fair on Saturday, September 4, 2010 to discover yet one more “Secret destination in Delaware” (rain date - Sunday, September 5).
For more information about Arden and its colorful history, check out the Research Library at the Delaware Historical Society on Market Street in Wilmington."
For maps and directions: http://www.ardenclub.org/map.htm#fair
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