Preserving the past, building the future

The Nearing Homestead in Harborside, Maine is the original home of Scott and Helen Nearing, the influential figures in the back-to-the-land movement of the 20th century.  In 1952, they settled in this homestead after leaving an earlier iteration in Vermont where they produced maple syrup  Here they dedicated themselves to a life of self-sufficiency, organic farming, and simple living, free from the trappings of modern consumer culture. They built their own stone walled garden using materials from their land, grew their own food, and practiced vegetarianism. The Nearings authored several books in this place including their seminal "Living the Good Life" which shared their philosophies and practical approaches to sustainable living and influenced generations of environmentalists, homesteaders, and advocates for social change. This is the place rich in the tales of the thousands of “hippies” who came seeking a model and inspiration for sustainable living practices, demonstrating the feasibility and benefits of a lifestyle in harmony with nature. Their efforts, idealism and magnetism formed the wellspring which created a the vibrant community of back-to-the-landers and organic farmers in Brooksville, Maine and throughout the country.