Some Americans at the turn of the 20th century sought to escape temporarily from the negative aspects of industrialization–overcrowding, stress, and a sense of disconnection from nature. In 1876, the New England Spiritualist Association acquired the Lake Pleasant property in Montague, Massachusetts.  Spiritualists believed that with the help of mediums or seers, it was possible to communicate with the dead. The Lake Pleasant community flourished into the 20th century, attracting people each summer who enjoyed its beautiful waters, musical entertainment, lectures, and séances.