8 Comments
User's avatar
Lori Olson White's avatar

What brilliant storytelling, Christopher!

My current piece about George Gardner spends a bit of time in and around Louisville, and as I was reading this, I came across some of the same words, places and thoughts. I love that about this community and historic storytelling at large - so many wonderful connections. A beautiful web. Thanks!

Expand full comment
Christopher Padgett's avatar

Thank you. I'll check out your story about George Gardner.

Expand full comment
Genealogy Just Ask - Robin's avatar

"...they didn’t need to be remembered in books.

They were remembered in family" - I love this! So many resources - the one I would like start with is: Eric Foner, Free Soil, Free Labor, Free Men. My ancestor was in Freedom's Lawmakers.

Expand full comment
Christopher Padgett's avatar

Thank you so much.

Expand full comment
Denyse Allen's avatar

So glad you are connected to the Harmony Society’s descendants events. I love hearing the story of what happened to one of their members. I live in PA and we have a few of these utopian collectives and it’s interesting research.

Expand full comment
Christopher Padgett's avatar

Sarah Buffington at Old Economy Village linked me into the group about 10 years ago. There are descendants from those who left the Society, like my ancestors, and those from the hired help who worked for the Society. It's a fascinating history. We are lucky so much research was published years ago about this community by Karl Arndt.

Expand full comment
David Shaw's avatar

Excellent writing. Loved it.

Expand full comment
Barbara at Projectkin's avatar

Christopher, I'm choked up. 🥲 A remarkable story, beautifully told.

I'd been preparing for my talk next week about my Lafayette project when I paused to read your piece. I'm humbled. You've eloquently captured how this fragment of national history fits into the puzzle of our individual family histories. Mere mortals won’t have your skill in storytelling, but they'll no doubt be inspired.

I'm looking forward to our conversation tomorrow.

Expand full comment