Celo Community
Encyclopedia
Celo Community is a communal settlement in the Western mountains of North Carolina
, located in Yancey County
. It was founded in 1937 by Arthur Ernest Morgan
. Celo is a land trust
with its own rules of taxation and land tenure that runs its internal government by consensus. The community does not require its members to accept any religion or ideology, but is based on ideals of cooperation between residents and care for the natural environment. Today, Celo is at maximum capacity with 40 families living on its 1200 acres (4.9 km²).
In 1959, the community restated its goals. Among these were “to pay allegiance to our common humanity overshadowing religious, racial, economic or political differences.” Members are expected to work “at a calling that will provide simple but adequate living…to raise some of their own food and in doing so to conserve rather than deplete the land.” The community also stated as a central goal “to rear our children in a wholesome environment where they can become acquainted with nature and be stimulated by intellectual freedom.”
Historically and today, cooperation has been at the forefront of the community’s mission. Founder Arthur Morgan
explained the cooperative element of Celo by employing a metaphor, which he named “human uranium.” Morgan explained that although a cubic yard of granite contains enough uranium to blow up a mountain, the particles have no effect when separated. Only when brought together, in what is called a “critical mass,” can they exercise power. Morgan saw people in the same way: when brought together with common goals and ideals they have great power.
Examples of Celo’s cooperative element include a food co-op
, a cooperative retail crafts store, and Cabin Fever University, a program for sharing knowledge and skills as well as for organizing social events.
system, by which members may own personal homes, but the land itself (including the land under those homes) is owned by the community. Land is never sold to members, but is assigned for periods of time on the condition that members live harmoniously with the land and their neighbors. Money is occasionally lent to community members for the purpose of improving land. In the words of the Celo Community Constitution, this system is meant to “encourage personal enterprise among members by making land and money available” for productive use.
The Community does not provide jobs for its residents. Members have worked on the community running summer camps, organizing cottage industries, and working for the settlement itself. Members also work off of the community. At times the work of the community has benefited the wider area. In 1962 Celo Community established the Arthur Morgan School, a junior high school for students from outside the community, mostly populated with students from pacifist and activist families. Physicians at Celo once ran a clinic open to people from outside the community and offering medical services for relatively low prices.
The Community accepts new members by consensus. A vote is held at regular meetings of the community. New admits must receive an affirmative vote with no more than fifteen percent of those present and voting dissenting. Members may also vote to dismiss members from the community.
, to suggest one. Morgan suggested he underwrite the founding of an intentional community. Regnery’s beliefs seemed, at first glance, to clash with Morgan’s vision for a communal settlement: he was a conservative, mild anti-semite, who opposed the New Deal
and was an opponent of Franklin D. Roosevelt
. However, his belief in the virtue of self-reliant rural farmers overrode all of these characteristics, and he agreed. With his philanthropy, Celo was on its way.
Morgan, Regnrey, and Morgan’s son, Griscomb Morgan, chose the land that would become Celo. A board of directors was formed, including among its members Morgan, Regnrey, and Clarence Pickett, executive secretary of the American Friends Service Committee
.
During the first few years, Celo experienced frequent turn over of residents and difficulty in recruitment of members as the community struggled to establish a clear identity and direction. During this time, Celo also suffered from attacks for its opposition to World War II
.
In the midst of World War II, Morgan visited Civilian Public Service camps in an attempt to recruit community members. He told the conscientious objector
s confined there about Celo and invited them to move to the community when the war ended. This group proved a receptive audience and when the war ended several families moved to the community. Celo had a stable population by 1948.
In these early years Celo was populated mostly with Quakers and pacifists, a legacy left by Morgan’s recruitment in the conscientious objector camps. Early growth was constant, but slowed during the 1950s, due to conflicts with ex-members, but by the 1960s national movements of communal living and radicalism led the population to flourish once again.
In 2001, Celo is home to 73 adult members and 40 children. The community is at membership capacity and has a waiting list of families hoping to be admitted. Families who are unable to live at Celo due to maximum capacity have began settling on the community’s periphery.
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, located in Yancey County
Yancey County, North Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 17,774 people, 7,472 households, and 5,372 families residing in the county. The population density was 57 people per square mile . There were 9,729 housing units at an average density of 31 per square mile...
. It was founded in 1937 by Arthur Ernest Morgan
Arthur Ernest Morgan
Arthur Ernest Morgan was a civil engineer, U.S. administrator, and educator. He was the design engineer for the Miami Conservancy District flood control system and oversaw construction. He served as the president of Antioch College between 1920 and 1936...
. Celo is a land trust
Land trust
There are two distinct definitions of a land trust:* a private, nonprofit organization that, as all or part of its mission, actively works to conserve land by undertaking or assisting in land or conservation easement acquisition, or by its stewardship of such land or easements; or* an agreement...
with its own rules of taxation and land tenure that runs its internal government by consensus. The community does not require its members to accept any religion or ideology, but is based on ideals of cooperation between residents and care for the natural environment. Today, Celo is at maximum capacity with 40 families living on its 1200 acres (4.9 km²).
Mission and Goals of the Community
The Celo Community Constitution states as its overriding purpose “to provide an opportunity for its members to enjoy a life that includes personal expression, neighborly friendship and cooperation, and appreciative care of the natural environment.”In 1959, the community restated its goals. Among these were “to pay allegiance to our common humanity overshadowing religious, racial, economic or political differences.” Members are expected to work “at a calling that will provide simple but adequate living…to raise some of their own food and in doing so to conserve rather than deplete the land.” The community also stated as a central goal “to rear our children in a wholesome environment where they can become acquainted with nature and be stimulated by intellectual freedom.”
Historically and today, cooperation has been at the forefront of the community’s mission. Founder Arthur Morgan
Arthur Ernest Morgan
Arthur Ernest Morgan was a civil engineer, U.S. administrator, and educator. He was the design engineer for the Miami Conservancy District flood control system and oversaw construction. He served as the president of Antioch College between 1920 and 1936...
explained the cooperative element of Celo by employing a metaphor, which he named “human uranium.” Morgan explained that although a cubic yard of granite contains enough uranium to blow up a mountain, the particles have no effect when separated. Only when brought together, in what is called a “critical mass,” can they exercise power. Morgan saw people in the same way: when brought together with common goals and ideals they have great power.
Examples of Celo’s cooperative element include a food co-op
Cooperative
A cooperative is a business organization owned and operated by a group of individuals for their mutual benefit...
, a cooperative retail crafts store, and Cabin Fever University, a program for sharing knowledge and skills as well as for organizing social events.
Operations
The community is based on a land trustLand trust
There are two distinct definitions of a land trust:* a private, nonprofit organization that, as all or part of its mission, actively works to conserve land by undertaking or assisting in land or conservation easement acquisition, or by its stewardship of such land or easements; or* an agreement...
system, by which members may own personal homes, but the land itself (including the land under those homes) is owned by the community. Land is never sold to members, but is assigned for periods of time on the condition that members live harmoniously with the land and their neighbors. Money is occasionally lent to community members for the purpose of improving land. In the words of the Celo Community Constitution, this system is meant to “encourage personal enterprise among members by making land and money available” for productive use.
The Community does not provide jobs for its residents. Members have worked on the community running summer camps, organizing cottage industries, and working for the settlement itself. Members also work off of the community. At times the work of the community has benefited the wider area. In 1962 Celo Community established the Arthur Morgan School, a junior high school for students from outside the community, mostly populated with students from pacifist and activist families. Physicians at Celo once ran a clinic open to people from outside the community and offering medical services for relatively low prices.
The Community accepts new members by consensus. A vote is held at regular meetings of the community. New admits must receive an affirmative vote with no more than fifteen percent of those present and voting dissenting. Members may also vote to dismiss members from the community.
History
In 1936, wealthy Chicago industrialist William Regnery was looking for a social project to fund. He asked a friend, Arthur MorganArthur Ernest Morgan
Arthur Ernest Morgan was a civil engineer, U.S. administrator, and educator. He was the design engineer for the Miami Conservancy District flood control system and oversaw construction. He served as the president of Antioch College between 1920 and 1936...
, to suggest one. Morgan suggested he underwrite the founding of an intentional community. Regnery’s beliefs seemed, at first glance, to clash with Morgan’s vision for a communal settlement: he was a conservative, mild anti-semite, who opposed the New Deal
New Deal
The New Deal was a series of economic programs implemented in the United States between 1933 and 1936. They were passed by the U.S. Congress during the first term of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The programs were Roosevelt's responses to the Great Depression, and focused on what historians call...
and was an opponent of Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
. However, his belief in the virtue of self-reliant rural farmers overrode all of these characteristics, and he agreed. With his philanthropy, Celo was on its way.
Morgan, Regnrey, and Morgan’s son, Griscomb Morgan, chose the land that would become Celo. A board of directors was formed, including among its members Morgan, Regnrey, and Clarence Pickett, executive secretary of the American Friends Service Committee
American Friends Service Committee
The American Friends Service Committee is a Religious Society of Friends affiliated organization which works for peace and social justice in the United States and around the world...
.
During the first few years, Celo experienced frequent turn over of residents and difficulty in recruitment of members as the community struggled to establish a clear identity and direction. During this time, Celo also suffered from attacks for its opposition to World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
In the midst of World War II, Morgan visited Civilian Public Service camps in an attempt to recruit community members. He told the conscientious objector
Conscientious objector
A conscientious objector is an "individual who has claimed the right to refuse to perform military service" on the grounds of freedom of thought, conscience, and/or religion....
s confined there about Celo and invited them to move to the community when the war ended. This group proved a receptive audience and when the war ended several families moved to the community. Celo had a stable population by 1948.
In these early years Celo was populated mostly with Quakers and pacifists, a legacy left by Morgan’s recruitment in the conscientious objector camps. Early growth was constant, but slowed during the 1950s, due to conflicts with ex-members, but by the 1960s national movements of communal living and radicalism led the population to flourish once again.
In 2001, Celo is home to 73 adult members and 40 children. The community is at membership capacity and has a waiting list of families hoping to be admitted. Families who are unable to live at Celo due to maximum capacity have began settling on the community’s periphery.