The story of a small Florida community that has drawn spiritual seekers for over 125 years
Calling itself a "metaphysical mecca," the small town of Cassadaga, between Orlando and Daytona Beach in central Florida, was established more than 125 years ago on the principle of continuous life, the idea that spirits of the dead commune with the living. Though the founders of Cassadaga have passed on to the "spirit plane," the quaint Victorian town remains the oldest continuously active Spiritualist center in the South and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991. While the community has often been sensationalized and misrepresented, this is the first serious work to examine its history, people, cultural environment, and religious system.
After presenting an overview of nineteenth-century religion, the book explores the town's early years, distinctive architecture, ritual life, core beliefs, healing work, and view of the future. It also probes the extent to which Cassadaga has assimilated New Age beliefs and reflects larger trends in contemporary American religious culture.
The study includes a group biography based on interviews with four residents, plus a chapter on the colorful life of Eloise Page, a practicing medium in Cassadaga for more than 40 years. In addition, it features 47 photographs that guide readers through the town and portray residents engaged in various sacred and everyday activities.
About the Author :
John J. Guthrie, Jr. (1955-2000) was associate professor of history at Daytona Beach Community College and the author of Keepers of the Spirits: The Judicial Response to Prohibition Enforcement in Florida, 1885-1935. Phillip Charles Lucas is emeritus professor of religious studies at Stetson University and founding general editor of Nova Religio: The Journal of Alternative and Emergent Religions. Lucas's books include Prime Time Religion: An Encyclopedia of Religious Broadcasting and New Religious Movements in the Twenty-First Century: Legal, Political, and Social Challenges in Global Perspective. Gary Monroe is a photographer who is best known for his long-term involvements with the old-world Jewish community of South Beach and his work about Haitian immigration and travels throughout Haiti. He has photographed lifestyles in Florida and around the world. His life's work is housed at Emory University's Stuart A. Rose Manuscript, Archives, and Rare Book Library.
Review :
"A fascinating look at Cassadaga, a Spiritualist community founded over a century ago just north of Orlando. . . . An objective and readable description of a distinctive and largely unknown faith in American religion."--Library Journal
"Anyone interested in America's religious past and present will find this glimpse into a lesser-known area rewarding."--Foreword Reviews
"Does a remarkable job of detailing the town's history, people and culture."--Daytona Beach News-Journal
"Provide[s] depth and understanding to counter the fairly shallow popular-culture impression of Cassadaga."--Tallahassee Democrat
"A worthy reminder of the religious pluralism of contemporary America and a sympathetic introduction to a movement unfamiliar to many scholars."--Journal of Southern History
"Offers a splendid account of the neglected history of an important Spiritualist community."--Florida Historical Quarterly
"A worthy tribute to this exceptional place."--Quest Magazine
