HIPPIE GROUP NEARING AREA’ The vanguard of a 63-bus caravan of long-haired spiritualists rolled into Davidson County shortly before noon today en route to Old Hickory Lake where they are expected to camp for two weeks. The group was reported ‘strung out all the way from Davidson County to Centerville.’…
“The leader of the group, Stephen Gaskin, said they will continue their search for a Middle Tennessee farm on which to establish an agricultural commune. He said they did not know where the farm was yet, but they were looking for a ‘clean, neat spiritual place to live.’ Most of the nomads in the procession of 63 brightly painted old school buses are in the mid-20s, but there were about 35 children, including 15 babies.…”
In the photo, Stephen Gaskin stands with other members of his group on March 25, 1971, the day of their arrival at the Shutes Branch campground on Old Hickory Lake in Wilson County. (Image: Nashville Public Library, Special Collections, photo by Vic Cooley)
Of their short stay at the campground, Gaskin later said, “Our presence at the park location caused quite a bit of disturbance as far as the traffic problem was concerned. On the Sunday before we left, sightseers had the road blocked for more than two miles full of people who wished to talk to us and question the families.”
The caravan had left San Francisco, Calif., in October 1970, at the height of the Vietnam conflict, to visit colleges and churches, sharing their religious beliefs, which included nonviolence. Ultimately, the group bought and settled on 1,760 acres near Summertown, Tenn., in May 1971.
The article was reprinted in The Nashville Retrospective, which added these comments:
Over the years, “The Farm” commune became known for innovations in organic farming, vegetarian cuisine, solar energy, and natural childbirth, the latter effort led to worldwide fame by Ina May Gaskin and her fellow midwives. Though no longer a commune, The Farm continues to operate, celebrating its 50th year and billing itself as a “modern-day Ecovillage and example of sustainable living.” Founder Stephen Gaskin died on July 1, 2014.