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Dr. Robert V. Hine collection on The Kingdom
MS 087  
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Collection Overview
 
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Description
The Dr. Robert V. Hine collection on the Kingdom contains documents, correspondence, photographs, audio reels, and press clippings collected by Dr. Hine from Mary Thomas and Arnold L. White, who were members of the religious commune The Kingdom. The Kingdom, informally known as Shiloh, was an evangelical Christian sect founded in Maine in 1897 by Frank Sandford. The majority of the collection documents Thomas' and White's recollections of the living experience within Shiloh, as well as their interactions with Dr. Robert V. Hine as part of his research on The Kingdom.
Background
The Kingdom was a religious commune established in Shiloh, Maine, and founded by Frank Sandford. Sandford established The Kingdom in 1897, after he became convinced that God had told him to build a home for a Bible school on top of a hill near Durham, Maine. His school quickly expanded to become a settlement with more than six hundred residents at its height, all of whom worked for no pay and followed Sandford's strict vision of apocalyptic Christianity. Poor living conditions, along with prescribed fasting and Sandford's rejection of medicine led a number of his followers to die of disease and malnutrition, and led to Sandford being tried for manslaughter in 1903 and 1911. The Shiloh community was disbanded in 1920, but The Kingdom continued on and still exists today.
Extent
0.42 linear feet (1 box)
Restrictions
Copyright Unknown: Some materials in these collections may be protected by the U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.). In addition, the reproduction, and/or commercial use, of some materials may be restricted by gift or purchase agreements, donor restrictions, privacy and publicity rights, licensing agreement(s), and/or trademark rights. Distribution or reproduction of materials protected by copyright beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. To the extent other restrictions apply, permission for distribution or reproduction from the applicable rights holder is also required. Responsibility for obtaining permissions, and for any use rests exclusively with the user.
Availability
The collection is open for research.