Padanaram Settlement
Encyclopedia
Padanaram Settlement is an intentional community
in the U.S. state
of Indiana
.
It is located on nearly 3000 acres (1,214.1 ha) in the wooded countryside of Martin County
in southern Indiana. Founded in 1966 by Daniel Wright, his wife Lois and a few friends, it has grown from 86 acres to its present size. It shares its name with Padan-aram, the part of Aram that lay in the Euphrates River valley in the Bible. There are wooded hills, lakes, streams, and large garden areas.
It is a cooperative lifestyle based on Five Principles.
A wide variety of occupations can be found among the residents of Padanaram--from small business owners, musicians, lawyers, professors, public school officials to the health professions.
Padanaram is active in a variety of business ventures. The main area of commerce is centered on the logging industry. Log yards are owned and operated in three states and logs are exported to countries around the world. There are various small businesses as well run by individuals who live in the community.
The community is home to 150 individuals — families and single people who live in apartments within the large log lodges and private homes. Meals are not communal but pot lucks, cookouts, special events and celebrations bring everyone together on occasion.
The children attend the public school in the area and their progress and education is a priority for all the parents. They are encouraged to enter a vocational program or go on to higher learning. Celebrations of their accomplishments and graduations are deemed important occasions to get together as a group.
At the present time (2011) housing is limited but there are many friends of the community who visit often.
Intentional community
An intentional community is a planned residential community designed to have a much higher degree of teamwork than other communities. The members of an intentional community typically hold a common social, political, religious, or spiritual vision and often follow an alternative lifestyle. They...
in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
.
It is located on nearly 3000 acres (1,214.1 ha) in the wooded countryside of Martin County
Martin County, Indiana
As of the census of 2000, there were 10,369 people, 4,183 households, and 2,877 families residing in the county. The population density was 31 people per square mile . There were 4,729 housing units at an average density of 14 per square mile...
in southern Indiana. Founded in 1966 by Daniel Wright, his wife Lois and a few friends, it has grown from 86 acres to its present size. It shares its name with Padan-aram, the part of Aram that lay in the Euphrates River valley in the Bible. There are wooded hills, lakes, streams, and large garden areas.
It is a cooperative lifestyle based on Five Principles.
- As you would have others do, you do.
- From each according to his ability, to each according to his need.
- He that has much, much is required. He that has little, little is required.
- Have all things in common, count nothing one’s own.
- The hand that does not work does not eat.
A wide variety of occupations can be found among the residents of Padanaram--from small business owners, musicians, lawyers, professors, public school officials to the health professions.
Padanaram is active in a variety of business ventures. The main area of commerce is centered on the logging industry. Log yards are owned and operated in three states and logs are exported to countries around the world. There are various small businesses as well run by individuals who live in the community.
The community is home to 150 individuals — families and single people who live in apartments within the large log lodges and private homes. Meals are not communal but pot lucks, cookouts, special events and celebrations bring everyone together on occasion.
The children attend the public school in the area and their progress and education is a priority for all the parents. They are encouraged to enter a vocational program or go on to higher learning. Celebrations of their accomplishments and graduations are deemed important occasions to get together as a group.
At the present time (2011) housing is limited but there are many friends of the community who visit often.