HISTORY OF THE FARM...
In 1962, the property, historically known as the Campbell Farm, was purchased by Mary Meigs for $12,500 from Homer and Helena Herbert.The family was unaware that Meigs' intention was to turn the property over to Robert and Marjorie Swann. The Swann's were an activists couple that had been doing anti-militarism work as part of the New England Committee for Nonviolent Action (NECNVA).

The Swann's met Meigs through her then partner Barbara Deming in the summer of 1960. That summer Deming, as a journalist,, had attended a sixteen day Peacemaker training session held at their apartment house in New London. Deming, then a reporter for the Nation magazine, had become a pacifist after traveling with Meigs through India in 1959 and reading the writings of Mohandas Gandhi. She was further politicized after traveling earlier that year to Cuba where, after interviewing both ordinary citizens and Fidel Castro, came to see the extent to which the US government was demonizing both Cuba and Castro.

Deming, Meigs and the Swann's were friends for many years and the Swann's were frequent summer visitors to Meigs and Deming's home on Cape Code in Wellfleet, Massachusetts. Although Meigs was primarily an artist and author, she and Deming were deeply involved in the development of NECNVA, both served on the Regional Committee and Deming on the Executive Committee.

CAMPBELL FARMHOUSE...
Built ca. 1750, the Farmhouse was built for Dr. John Campbell, the local physician, and is the central building as you enter the VPT property from Beach Pond Road (CT-165). The farmhouse is said to have been a stop on the underground railroad, with slaves hiding in the secret rooms built into the central stonework of the basement. The farmhouse features a traditional central chimney with a main hearth in the kitchen and fireplaces in a number of the bedrooms. The Farmhouse has been renovated on numerous occasions, most recently in the mid-90s under the direction of Chuck Matthei, Equity Trust president. The Farmhouse now hosts the central office of VPT as well as the (enter community name here) intentional community.  The farmhouse is not available for rent although guests are welcome.  Please call ahead to receive a tour.