- Meadeau View Institute
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The Meadeau View Institute was a conservative constitutionalist[vague] organization that operated in Duck Creek, Utah, from the mid-1980s to the early 1990s.[1] The institute was notable for seeking to build a Utopian community of alternative-lifestyle conservatives in Southern Utah. The community collapsed in 1994 due to financial problems incident to the loss of property in an accidental explosion and fire.
Founding
William H. Doughty, the institute's founder and money manager, accepted over $1 million in donations and loans from backers in an attempt to build a conservative Utopia in Duck Creek and Mammoth Valley, Utah (near Hatch). In December 1986, Doughty purchased a vacant lodge in Duck Creek from Harry and Gabrielle Moyer, who carried the note for him. He later moved his Institute for Constitutional Education (ICE) from Cedar City to the lodge. Contributors include Cleon Skousen, Glenn Kimber, and Donald N. Sills.[citation needed]
Timeline of collapse
During the winter of 1993, snow build-up from a record snowfall led to a propane explosion at the Meadeau View lodge. The investment which had been made in this asset was lost, as well as the income from seminars and conferences. As a result, donations and other fundraising efforts also failed, leading to the demise of the organization. The fledgeling George Wythe College, which had been holding classes in the lodge, moved to Cedar City, and those who sought to build the community, including Shanon Brooks (who would later serve as president of George Wythe University), left.[2]
As of 2004, Doughty still maintained a ranch in Mammoth Valley.
Aftermath
The Deseret News reported that participants who lost money were reluctant to come forward to authorities, due to their inherent distrust for the government.[1]
External sources
Letters to the Deseret News
- Gleason, Coleen (July 29, 1994). "Perspectives On Doughty Story". Letter to the Editor. Deseret News. http://archive.deseretnews.com/archive/366944/PERSPECTIVES-ON-DOUGHTY-STORY.html. Retrieved November 23 2009.
- Doughty, Steve (August 10, 1994). Doughty Is A Pioneer Of Our Day "Doughty Is A Pioneer Of Our Day". Letters to the Editor. Deseret News. http://www.deseretnews.com/article/369008/ Doughty Is A Pioneer Of Our Day. Retrieved November 23 2009.
- Riddle, Mark A. (August 22, 1994). "Development Doomed Ideal". Letters to the Editor. Deseret News. http://www.deseretnews.com/article/371363/. Retrieved November 23 2009.
References
- ^ a b Parkinson, Paul; Cates, Karl (July 26, 1994). "Backers Tried in Vain to Recover Losses". Deseret News. http://archive.deseretnews.com/archive/366360/BACKERS-TRIED-IN-VAIN-TO-RECOVER-LOSSES.html. Retrieved December 23, 2008.
- ^ Parkinson, Paul; Cates, Karl (July 25, 1994). "Ex-Devotees Want To Know Where Did The Money Go?". Deseret News. http://archive.deseretnews.com/archive/366287/EX-DEVOTEES-WANT-TO-KNOW-WHERE-DID-THE-MONEY-GO.html. Retrieved November 23 2009.
History Meadeau View Institute · Coral Ridge Baptist University · William H. Doughty · Donald N. Sills · Glenn Kimber
Administration Oliver DeMille · Shane Schulthies
See also Great Books - Liberal Arts - List of unaccredited institutions of higher learning - Educational perennialism This article about an education organization is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.