The digitized content of the Communitarianism Periodicals (Digitized Microfilm) consists of published periodicals related to the 1800s communitarianism movement in the United States. The communitarian movement, popular primarily in New England and the Midwest, encouraged communal living and shared work within a community. The movement challenged established nineteenth-century American ideals of industrialization and independence by prioritizing community cooperation.

The four subcollections focus on communitarianism periodicals published from 1837-1846 in Putney, Vermont. The periodicals’ creator and main editor was American preacher and utopian socialist John Humphrey Noyes. Titles include: The Perfectionist and Theocratic Watchman, The Perfectionist, The Spiritual Moralist, and The Witness.

The digitized content includes topics regarding Christian perfectionism, collective settlements in Putney, Vermont, complex marriage, and utopian socialism.

The Illinois History and Lincoln Collections unit at the University of Illinois Library manages the physical items of Communitarianism Periodicals (Digitized Microfilm). For more information, contact an archivist at ihlc@library.illinois.edu.