The ardens, the collective name for the villages of arden, ardentown, and ardencroft, is the oldest non-religious intentional community in the united states and the only entire village to be placed on the national historic register. the arden craft shop museum preserves the ardens' rich history through the documentation ofresidents' creative work and activities past and present. the museum collection includes paintings, photographs, textiles, ceramics, prints, furniture and ironwork. archival material in the collection documents architectural, theatrical, musical, dance, and literary contributions by arden residents, as well as photographs of artwork that no longer survives or is dispersed in private collections. the primary activities of the museum are to preserve the existing collection and acquire new material that relates to the history of the ardens, create related exhibitions and public programs, and provide support for scholarly research on the communities.