The Arden Craft Shop Museum welcomes you to the opening of our newest exhibition: A Dream….. Realized? on October 19th from 1-3 pm. This exhibition celebrates the 125th anniversary of Arden and the 75th anniversary of Ardencroft.
A dream was planted like a young tree in Arden, matured in Ardentown, flourished with the founding of Ardencroft, and is now a mighty oak that Ardenites tend for the future. In the Ardens, celebrations and challenges reveal the fragile balance between idealism and reality. They are the spaces where grand visions meet the practical work of sustaining a community. The histories of Arden, Ardentown, and Ardencroft add up to almost three centuries. With the 125th Anniversary of Arden and the 75th Anniversary of Ardencroft we explore how people continue to wrestle with questions of community and equity. And the residents are still trying to get it right.
The Ardens were founded on progressive dreams: fair and equal taxation, a commitment to community, and art woven into daily life. But did these ideals ever truly take shape? Their story relates over two centuries of ambitious experiments, small and large triumphs, and ongoing struggles. As the history of Arden and Ardencroft is explored, we must ask the question: how close did past residents come to realizing their dreams, and how far do we still have to go?
