Dwellers in Arcady: The Story of an Abandoned Farm

"Dwellers in Arcady: The Story of an Abandoned Farm" by Albert Bigelow Paine is an early 20th-century tale about a family's quest to breathe new life into a worn-down farmhouse and reconnect with the natural world. The story follows the narrator, his wife Elizabeth, and their family as they buy an old Connecticut farm, looking forward to the flowing waters of their brook, a dream come true for the book's narrator. Though the house they acquire needs a lot of help, the family has mixed feelings about it, with hopes and worries. With the help of William C. Westbury, who facilitates the purchase and shares captivating stories of the past, the family begins this exciting adventure, determined to turn a forsaken place into a lively, welcoming home.