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Lake Pleasant in Montague, Massachusetts, was a spiritualist retreat and campground. The founders, pictured here, subscribed to what were for the time radical ideas such as full equality between men and women and the possibility of contacting the spiritual realm through seances and mediums. Spiritualism gathered adherents from various religious denominations, but was most attractive to the more radically reform-minded who believed in the perfectibility of mankind. The Lake Pleasant community flourished into the 20th century, attracting thousands of people each summer who enjoyed its beautiful waters, musical entertainment, lectures, and seances.

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