Arden

This community was founded in 1900 by social reformers Frank Stephens and Will Price. Founding principles were Henry George’s Single Tax economic theory and William Morris’s arts and crafts philosophy. Incorporated in 1967, the village continues to be governed by these taxation and community ideals. All residential land is held in a trust. Leaseholders own their homes and pay one property tax (land rent) determined by elected assessors. Town Meetings reflect an enduring model of direct democracy. Almost half of the 162 acres is in greens, roads, paths and buffering forests. The Village of Arden was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.