William Emerson Baker was a successful businessman in the 1800s. He was also known as a comedic figure with eccentric tendencies. Upon his retirement in 1868, he purchased a large expanse of land, which he filled with various museums, attractions, and pets. Baker felt strongly about developing nutrition standards, particularly around food additives, and maintaining sanitary conditions for livestock with the goal of improving nutrition and well-being for humans.
Needham historian Gloria Greis details his commitment to these public health initiatives, which included a “Sanitary Piggery Party” in which “pigs were given little beds with silk sheets and pillows to show how well cared for and pampered they were… Silk pillows may have been a stunt, but they emphasized his point that livestock would benefit from clean bedding and living conditions…”
Greis continues: "The “scientific food” movement was an effort to regulate the additives in food (some of which were quite horrifying) and create standards for nutrition. As Americans moved away from the farms and into the cities, they became more dependent upon ‘manufactured’ food and more vulnerable to the alterations or adulterations that tainted many of these foods... In the 19th century, tuberculosis and other pathogens were endemic in cattle (and therefore the milk supply). Pigs were urban livestock, and allowed – even encouraged – to eat garbage and other filth off the streets... The result, of course, was pork that was contaminated with numerous parasites and diseases, many of which could transfer to humans."
When Needham and Wellesley split in 1881, the geographic boundary dividing the two towns cut straight through Baker’s estate. Baker petitioned the state to secede from both towns and establish “Hygeria.” Greis writes, “In Hygeria, residents would practice the most scientific and modern methods of sanitation and hygiene in food and dwelling. The lessons learned would be offered to the state as a benefit to others.” Interestingly, Baker requested to be exempt from taxes in exchange for sharing what was learned in Hygeria, years before nonprofits gained tax-exempt status for providing a public good.
For a period of about twenty-five years beginning in 1880, more than 100 bills were proposed to Congress to regulate the food supply. Meanwhile, people died from poor quality foods and preservatives, and workers in meatpacking facilities - particularly immigrants - suffered. Major change was implemented after the Food and Drugs Act and Meat Inspection Act of 1906.
Hygeria as Baker conceived it never materialized. Baker lost his wealth in legal proceedings with the state and municipalities. But, one might argue that we live in a version of Hygeria today due to supporters of the scientific food movement... sans silk sheets for pigs.