Russian and East European immigrants living in New York City pursued a communal living experiment by seeking a rural environment in Chatham Township. An advertisement in the Jewish Daily Forward newspaper led to the purchase of more than 150 acres, and in 1924 the Association incorporated, with 70 members drawing lots to determine individual plots. A spring-fed pond was expanded and stocked with fish. In 1928 a community house was built, the pond was opened for swimming, and a strip of land was sold for a high-tension power line. Land was donated to the Chatham Township Fire Co. for a sub-station on Southern Blvd. Membership dwindled, and in 1969 the Township purchased the pool area. The Ber Coffet Memorial Acre adjoining the Colony Pool was donated by the sculptor's family for recreation, open space and parkland.