Rural Myths

03/04/2010 09:26
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So I’ve had my head in this census project for a couple of weeks now. I’ve found out that, to whatever degree the town I’ve been looking at is representative, many of the things we believe about early American towns are wrong. I’m happy about this, because it gives me something to talk about, and because I’ve been hoping to do some myth busting in this project.

One of the persistent myths about early American towns is that they were inherently stable, inward-looking communities; in contrast with cities which are thought of as the scene of rapid, disruptive changes leading to modernity. Cities are imagined as filled with new people and ideas, and focused on trade, progress, and material success. Towns, on the other hand, are pictured as being filled with families and focused on “good, old-fashioned” values. In contrast with the city’s commerce and profit-motivation, the farmers, artisans and small merchants of these exceptional New England communities are supposed to work for a competence or sufficiency. Rather than upward mobility, town and country folk are believed to appreciate staying put. Democratic town meetings and the Congregational assembly are seen as institutions that focus social life and best represent the character of rural people.

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