Michael Metelica, 1975 The Brotherhood of the Spirit commune, later renamed the Renaissance Community, was one of the largest communes in the eastern United States during the late 1960s and early 1970s. From the time of its founding in Leyden, Mass., in 1968, through its various moves and incarnations, the community has been well documented photographically. One of the principle photographers during the period 1973-1983, Daniel A. Brown, preserved an archive of hundreds of images that he has allowed SCUA to scan and make available to the public.

The following images are organized in roughly chronological order from the early years of the commune's founder, Michael Metelica, to his death in 2003. They are broken into four main sections, reflecting the major periods of the commune's history: the Brotherhood of the Spirit (1968-1973), Metelica Aquarian Concept and Renaissance Community (1973-1978), the 2001 Center/Renaissance Community in Gill (1975-1983), and the reunions and gatherings (1992-2002).

See also:

• Daniel A. Brown's History of the Brotherhood of the Spirit and Renaissance Community.
• The Michael Metelica photographic gallery from the Beth Hapgood Papers.

View the images
 
[ Introduction ]
[ Brotherhood of the Spirit, part 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 ]
[ Metelica Aquarian Concept/Renaissance Community, part 2, 3, 4, 5 ]
[ 2001 Center/Renaissance Community, part 2, 3, 4, 5 ]
[ Reunions, part 2, 3 ]