AHF Office, 535 Hammock Road, Melbourne Village, Florida 32904, United States
AHF History
The American Homesteading Foundation (AHF) is the founding organization and developer of this unique, intentional community in Brevard County, Florida. The AHF is a not-for-profit corporation chartered first under the laws of the State of Ohio in 1946 and more recently in Florida in 1977.
The founding members of the organization had an idealistic vision of a community which would share resources, barter with one another, and engage in productive enterprises.
In the late 1940s ranch land was bought and subdivided into generous residential lots with winding streets and planned parklands and trails. Lots and memberships were sold, and residents began building the community. Currently there are about 265 member households in the Village.
Today, the AHF functions as a voluntary community association. It owns and manages a meeting hall, swimming pool, offices, and about 52 acres of parkland. It sponsors recreational and social events including an Annual Dinner, Easter egg hunt, Halloween party, Holiday dinner, movie & game nights, flea market, arts & crafts, yoga classes, a community garden and more. Monthly potluck breakfasts, called “Cardinalbucks,” are a staple of our organization and are open to all villagers.
The AHF works closely with the Town of Melbourne Village. The latter provides law enforcement services, issues building permits, maintains the roads and drainage infrastructure, directs the town’s Public Works needs, and attends to matters of code enforcement.
Much has been written about the history of Melbourne Village. For details about the early days see one of the valuable resources below.
- Melbourne Village: The First Twenty-five Years (1946-1971) by Richard C. Crepeau, University of Central Florida Press 1988
- Space Coast Living Magazine: A Hidden Gem by Maria Sonnenberg, Spring 2022 Edition.
Historic Photos
THE PARKLANDS IN THE TOWN OF MELBOURNE VILLAGE ARE PRIVATE PROPERTY. PARKS AND TRAILS ARE OPEN TO MELBOURNE VILLAGE RESIDENTS ONLY. NO TRESPASSING. FOLLOW PARKLAND RULES AND STAY ON DESIGNATED PATHS.