Origin of the Society
Over thirty-five years ago the seed was planted for what was to become a quest for discovery and preservation of a unique contribution to America's culture and development: the Icarian heritage.
The few who gathered on the first occasion could not have dreamed of the fruits that would flow from their aroused curiosity about that sturdy and determined group of émigrés who brought a new culture to the frontier, exhibited heroic bravery in the face of economic hardship, disease and death, and finally assimilated into the mainstream of their adopted country. Much of the story has been preserved by historical markers, collections of artifacts, and by documents in many libraries and universities. Today the Society looks back with pride on its partnership with many others in the work that has been done and looks forward the challenge of discovery and identification of other historic locations, artifacts and historic documents as well as the compilation of names of the participants in America's longest-lived, nonsectarian, utopian movement.
Dr. Lillian M. Snyder
Lillian Snyder's great-grandfather, Emile Baxter, was a member of the Board of Directors and Secretary of the first chartered Icarian colony in Nauvoo, Illinois. The home of she and her mother, Florence (Baxter) Snyder, became the focus for occasional Icarian descendants visiting Nauvoo in search of their family roots. Lillian was intrigued by the interest in Icarian history and on July 5, 1969 hosted a picnic for descendants. Approximately 30 attended, enjoyed the camaraderie, and established an annual tradition which is considered the birth of the Society.
Attaining National Status
In the years and discussions that followed, it became apparent that a wealth of authentic Icarian artifacts and documents existed which should be preserved. On the other hand, it was perceived that the Icarian experience in America had a very low level of recognition by the general public, historians and, for that matter, many descendants of Icarians. In order to accept the challenge on a more organized basis, the annual reunion attendees incorporated in 1977 as the Descendants of Icarians. Its charter set forth the objectives of perpetuating the memory of the Icarians, educating their descendants and the public of the principles and precepts upon which the society was founded as well as the factors which led to its demise.
Continued growth in the organization and active participation by many educators, historians and institutions as well as related efforts by other organizations led to the recognition by 1988 that what started as a local organization had indeed become national in scope and its name was changed to The National Icarian Heritage Society. The reunion meetings were set up to be rotated on an annual basis among the four sites where chartered colonies existed: Nauvoo, Illinois; Saint Louis, Missouri; Corning, Iowa; and Cloverdale, California.
New Relationships
Dr. Robert P. Sutton
The Society and its precursors were far from alone in the mission of preservation and education regarding the Icarian heritage. In the spring of 1977, Leslie F. Malpass, President of Western Illinois University, Macomb, Illinois, announced the establishment of The Center for Icarian Studies, located in the Archives and Special Collections Department of the new University Library. In March of 1979 a new publication was born. In Volume 1, Number 1 of THE CENTER FOR ICARIAN STUDIES NEWSLETTER, it was reported that over 1,400 manuscripts and documents had been accessioned from the State Historical Library of Iowa. In addition it housed over 400 items donated by descendants of the original Icarians including the Deane, Grillas and Kruse collections. Special Icarian materials included photographs and newspapers. A core collection of rare books was established including first and second editions of Cabet's works. The Center later acquired copies of materials located in the State University of Illinois in Edwardsville, the Missouri Historical Society and the St. Louis Public Library.
Icarian Colony School House
Corning Old Colony
A strange quirk of fate brought about a new relationship. Upon the demise of the last Icarian colony near Corning, Iowa, the bulk of their library was acquired by Tabor College, Tabor, Iowa. It closed in later years and its library was acquired by the University of Nebraska at Omaha. In more recent years the Icarian materials were rediscovered which led to the formation of the Institute for Icarian Investigations under the direction of Dr. Wayne Wheeler. Dr. Wheeler was instrumental in organizing an archeological survey of the Corning colony with the cooperation of The University of Evansville (Indiana). This resulted in the preservation of several artifacts including tombstones and the last remaining original family house. The dining hall used by the last group of Icarians had been refitted as a residence but was earmarked for restoration.
Accomplishments
The Society has been instrumental in the erection of historical markers at the Nauvoo, Corning and Cloverdale colony sites. While the area of the St. Louis (Cheltenham) colony has been generally identified, no marker has yet been erected. The grave of Etienne Cabet, located in the New St. Marcus Cemetery, St. Louis, is the site of a wreath laying during the quadrennial meeting.
Historic Marker
Nauvoo St. Park
Nauvoo, Illinois
Tomb of Etienne Cabet
Saint Markus Cemetery
Saint Louis
Missouri
Historic Marker
Corning Colonies
East of Corning, Iowa
Historic Marker
Site of Icaria-Speranza
School House
Healdsburg, California
Lillian Snyder Icarian Living History
Foundation Museum
2205 East Parley Street
Nauvoo, Illinois
During the past 35 years the Society and its adjunct, the now expired National Icarian Historic Foundation, acquired through purchase or donation over 30 individual artifacts typical of tools and furniture used by the Icarians in the Nauvoo area. Nauvoo also features the Icarian Living History Museum which is housed in the restored Mix-Ling house dating back to the 1850 era. It is operated by the Lillian Snyder Living History Foundation which also supports the Icarian Heritage Center and the Icarian Barn Museum. A number of buildings used by the Icarians still exist in the area. The annual fall Grape Festival features parades and activities including a pageant titled, the Wedding of the Wine and Cheese, which traces its origins to the French wine and cheese culture.
The Society's sister organization, The Adams County Icarian Society, acquired several authentic artifacts used by the Corning colony and was instrumental in accomplishing a restoration and dedication of the colony cemetery including replacement of several of the original grave stones. The Corning community has a strong sense of historical pride in the Icarian history of the area. It sponsors an annual Icarian Days festival which includes parades, races and other group activities. The Adams County Historical Society rescued the original Icarian colony school house and placed it on display containing many items typical of an early country school. The Icarian Players, a local theatrical group, occasionally perform the musical drama, Icaria. Depicting life in the colony, it was written by local resident, Merrill Sparks. Nearby one of the largest lakes in the state is named Lake Icaria after the French Icarians. More recently the Adams County Icarian Society was succeded by the Adams County Colony Foundation.
Memorial Tablet at Restored Cemetery
Old Corning Colony, Corning, Iowa
The last building erected by the Icaria Esperanza colonists over one hundred years ago near Cloverdale, California succumbed to the ravages of weather and time, late in 1989. Just a few months prior to that the attendees at the 1989 annual meeting held in Cloverdale had an opportunity to view the structure, a large horse barn, for the last time
Looking Towards the Future
The Society is ever mindful of its mission to preserve and proclaim the Icarian heritage. It has compiled a census of the original Icarian colonists and is documenting the genealogy of their descendants. These projects will have a rich historical value. In 1988 Charles T. Parish, then president of the Society, delivered a paper, A Vision in Transition to Reality, wherein he visualized the restoration of a portion of the original Corning colony into a living history farm. That vision was taken up by the Adams County Icarian Society which joined forces with the Adams County Economic Development Corporation, the Adams County Conservation Board, the Adams County Historical Society and the Main Street Project to form a cooperative committee: the Icarian Land Company. Its sole task is the development of a plan, in cooperation with the Southern Iowa Resource Conservation & Development Office, to seek financial assistance to purchase 150 acres of the colony's original 3,000 acres at an estimated cost of $120,000. As funding is obtained through State Historic Preservation funds, Iowa Humanities funds, other foundations, private donations, etc., the groups will reconstruct the Icarian village as a living history museum. Currently a successor organization, The French Icarian Colony Foundation, carries on the restoration project.
Last Icarian Colony Dining Hall and Community Room
Currently under repairs at Colony Restoration Site
East of Corning, Iowa
The National Icarian Heritage Society would like to encourage attendance at one of the annual reunion meetings held nearest to the reader. Its programs are a delight to history buffs and a congenial blend of activities, food and fellowship. The Society officers and staff look forward to personal contact and input by all attendees as it strives to keep its program tuned to the desires of the membership. The Society will continue to deliver its message in the semiannual magazine which is made possible by the support of its loyal readers and dues payers.