Call Number:

Ms. Coll. 1525

Repository:

University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts

Extent:

.2 linear_foot (1 box)

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

Bill Goring collection of Art Rosenblum material, 1968-1970, Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts, University of Pennsylvania

Date:

1968-1970 (inclusive)

Creator:

Rosenblum, Arthur and Goring, Bill

Form:

Newsletters and Articles

Abstract:

Arthur "Art" Rosenblum (circa 1928-2002) was a community enthusiast, peace activist, and artist, known for founding the Aquarian Research Foundation. This collection was by compiled by Rosenblum's friend and fellow radical activist Bill Goring of New York, New York, and consists primarily of Rosenblum's published writing (newsletters and articles), as well a letter and some notes about the Bruderhof, dating from 1968 to 1970.

Arthur "Art" Rosenblum (circa 1928-2002) was a community enthusiast, peace activist, and artist, amongst many other things. Bookseller, D. Anthem, described him as "a ubiquitous presence in the radical community in Philadelphia." He was married to Judith "Judy" Rosenblum in 1976. Together they had two children.

After moving to Germantown, Philadelphia in 1969, he founded a commune called the Aquarian Research Foundation (ARF). Rosenblum defined the ARF's "purpose ... to do research to find ways whereby the new age can come in a beautiful way of love instead through a time of chaos or civil war." (Newsletter [1], box 1, folder 3). ARF published newsletters and booklets from a press in Rosenblum's dining room, seeking to establish a new social order through these publishing projects, educational initiatives, and communal living. He printed and invited printing apprentices from peace groups to print peace and disarmament content. He authored two books, Unpopular Science: An Unnatural Book about Natural Phenomena and The Natural Birth Control Book. According to D. Anthem, Bookseller, in 1971, Rosenblum "traveled to the USSR to broker an end to the arms race, and was the inspiration behind Ted Turner's Turner Tomorrow Award."

According to the memorial authored by his wife, Rosenblum was passionate about communal living, intentional and sustainable communities, and "a world without money where everyone's needs would be met." His wife stated that "he had a clear vision of the planet ruled by love." He visited such communities internationally to observe and demonstrate to others the power of togetherness. He lived with the Society of Brothers in Paraguay for 18 years. He was also associated with the Foundation for Intentional Community, the Communities Movement, and the Bruderhof community. At his home in Germantown, according to his wife, he attempted "to start a commune devoted to finding ways to bring about a whole new age of peace and love to the world."

Bill Goring was a radical activist in New York, New York, who was friends with Rosenblum during the time that he was working to establish his commune, and to whose address Rosenblum has his mail sent.

Works Cited: Rosenblum, Judy. "Peace Activist Art Rosenblum Dies." New England Free Press, 16 June 2002, www.nefp.online/art-rosenblum.

The Bill Goring collection of Art Rosenblum material contains articles and newsletters written by Rosenblum from 1968 to 1970, as well as a single letter from Rosenblum to Goring and his wife, Debbie. There are also notes, written by Rosenblum, on the publications and some handwritten notes, presumably written by Goring about Rosenblum during his time with the Bruderhof (a church community of Christians who, inspired by the early church, share all money and possessions) and the foundation of the Aquarian Research Foundation. The newsletters (box 1, folder 2-3), outline Rosenblum's philosophies and goals for his communal group, both broadly and with focus on specific tasks and accomplishments.