Bryn Gweled, Pennsylvania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bryn Gweled
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Intentional Community
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Country | United States |
State | Pennsylvania |
County | Bucks |
Township | Upper Southampton Township |
Founded | 1940 |
Bryn Gweled is a special neighborhood in Upper Southampton Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. It is known as an "intentional community." This means the people living there chose to create a place where they share land and work together. Bryn Gweled Homesteads has 78 private homes. These homes are built on about 240 acres (97 square kilometers) of land. This land is owned and managed by everyone in the community. There is also a community center for all residents to use.
What is Bryn Gweled?
Bryn Gweled is a self-governing community. It was started in 1940 by thirteen families. Most of these families were Quakers from the Philadelphia area. The name "Bryn Gweled" comes from the Welsh and means "Hill of Vision."
A Community with a Vision
The people of Bryn Gweled still follow the ideas of its founders. They believe in everyone sharing responsibility. They also make decisions together using a special style called "consensus." This means they try to agree on things as a group. The community also values having people from many different backgrounds. Bryn Gweled is often seen as a good example of how people can make decisions together in a community.
Homes and Nature
The homes in Bryn Gweled are quite unique. Some of them were designed by students of a famous American architect named Frank Lloyd Wright. These students later became well-known architects themselves.
Unique Home Designs
Each home is on about two acres of land. They are surrounded by fields and forests. This creates a peaceful space away from the busy areas around Philadelphia. Many homes have special features. These include heated floors and exposed wooden beams. They also have large, open rooms and central fireplaces. These designs are part of a style called "organic architecture." This style tries to blend buildings with nature.