FGCU Prof. of Journalism Prof. Milner will speak on the Koreshan community.  The Koreshan community in 1894 established itself on 320 acres stretching westward from the current corner of Rte. 41 and Corkscrew Road.  They believed the earth was hollow and we lived inside.  They believed immortality could be achieved by practicing celibacy.  But they also believed in and practiced equality of the sexes: women and men equally held important positions.  And they believed in and practiced self-sufficiency--building and running an Art Hall, printing house, power plant, machine shop, boat and concrete works and bakery.  The best such facilities in the area, these attracted many users outside the community.  They also drew visitors, like the Edisons and Fords.

Our speaker, FGCU Prof. of Journalism Lyn Milner, has authored a carefully researched and fascinating account of the Koreshans, The Allure of Immortality.  Also, she has written and produced stories for NPR's Morning Edition, the New York Times, US Today, the Miami Herald, and Oxford American.