Bryn Gweled Homesteads 
In the spirit of teaching by example, many groups began to lay the groundwork for such communities. A few people associated with Bedford Center, a Quaker settlement house on Kater Street in Philadelphia, began such a group, taking direction from, among others, the 19th century thinker Henry George and his "single tax" concept. The community of Arden, Delaware was a successful example of this idea put into practice. One of the primary concerns was that rampant real estate speculation was exacerbating poverty and disenfranchisement. George's approach held hope of finding ways to stem this rising tide.
A contemporary visionary was Ralph Borsodi, whose School of Living near Suffern, New York, attracted the attention of the group. Several people made an expedition to the School of Living and brought back enthusiasm and useful ideas about how small homesteads in a cooperative setting could enable a degree of self-sufficiency that was not possible in the urban environment.
Combining the best of these and other visionary ideas with their own thinking, the group met assiduously for many months until a concept emerged of the community they wanted. Some members left and others came on board, but the group remained on task, adding details to their model, and by the spring of 1940, 12 eager and determined families were ready to bring their dream into reality.
Purchase of land and establishment of BGH, Inc.
When a 240-acre parcel of land in lower Bucks County became available, the nascent community was ready to act. After tramping across the fields and woodlands and liking what they saw, they pooled their financial resources and placed a deposit toward the $18,000 purchase price (a bargain even in 1940). They then set about forming the not-for-profit corporation they had so carefully planned, and Bryn Gweled was born.
Early home and road construction
With the first lots laid out, construction of homes began. War was looming on the horizon, and several homesteaders struggled to be able to move in before the cloud descended.
To be Continued....