Per West Virginia & Regional History Center policy, special access restrictions apply.
Due to Personally Identifiable Information (PII), box 1 folder 14, box 10 folder 28, box 12 folder 7 and box 13 folder 24 will be restricted for 75 years after the date of record creation, but users may complete the Agreement for the Use of Sensitive Materials to request access to these materials prior to the expiration of the restriction.
Due to student records, box 1 folder 4 is closed for 75 years after the date of record creation.
Due to Protected Health Information (PHI), box 3 folder 10 is restricted for 100 years from the date of creation unless an individual grants permission to access the record or the WVRHC is given proof of death that occurred in excess of 50 years prior to the date of request. Researchers collecting summary data may submit an Access Request Form.
Due to attorney-client privilege, box 10 folders 13 and 18 are restricted for 75 years from the date of record creation. Users may complete the Agreement for the Use of Sensitive Materials before restriction expires.
Please contact the West Virginia & Regional History Center reference department in advance to request access to the above-mentioned records.
All material except for Folder Oversize 1 (Series 9) are stored offsite. Please make an appointment prior to visiting.
Researchers may access digitized and born digital materials by requesting to view the materials in person by appointment or remotely by contacting the West Virginia & Regional History Center reference department at https://westvirginia.libanswers.com/wvrhc.
Some audiovisual materials must be digitized for research access. Researchers must contact the West Virginia & Regional History Center reference department in advance.
Gift from Ham, F. Gerald, via Doktorski, Henry, 2017, 2021-2023.
This collection has been organized by series, and original folder arrangement and titles were preserved when possible.
Bhaktipada and his partner Howard Wheeler moved to New York City, where in 1966, they met A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, founder of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). This religious movement is more commonly termed "Hare Krishna" and is a denomination of Hinduism. Bhaktipada became Bhaktivedanta's student and devotee, and later became an influential leader in the movement himself. Bhaktipada and Wheeler relocated to Marshall County, West Virginia and leased land near the town of Moundsville. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, the land was purchased and developed as the community of New Vrindaban, with Bhaktipada as its spiritual leader.
Bhaktipada and New Vrindaban were the source of many controversies, both internally and externally. Bhaktipada was expelled by ISKCON in 1987, and New Vrindaban itself was also expelled the following year. Bhaktipada was indicted by a federal grand jury in 1990 on charges of mail fraud and racketeering. Although he was initially found guilty, his conviction was vacated on the basis of prejudicial testimony. In 1994, Bhaktipada was offered a plea bargain, which he refused. At the 1996 retrial, he ultimately pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud and served time in jail from 1996 until 2004. He moved to India in 2008, where he died in October 2011 at age 74 after a period of illness.
In 2018, Doktorski completed his first non-fiction book about Hare Krishna history,
Some materials in this collection were sourced from the New Vrindaban property; others were created by Henry Doktorski in the course of his research.
[Description and date of item], [Box/folder number], Henry Doktorski, Compiler, Records regarding Kirtanananda Bhaktipada Swami and the New Vrindaban Commune, A&M 4646, West Virginia and Regional History Center, West Virginia University Libraries, Morgantown, West Virginia.
This collection contains records pertaining to the community of New Vrindaban in Marshall County, West Virginia and its founder Kirtanananda Bhaktipada Swami (Keith Gordon Ham), a member of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) or "Hare Krishna" religious movement, until his expulsion in 1987. Compiled by Henry Doktorski, a former resident of New Vrindaban and author of several books on the subject, the collection includes records which provide insight into daily life in the commune, such as committee meeting minutes, housing contracts and behavioral guidelines for devotees. There are also audio recordings and written transcripts of meditation sessions and other spiritual practices.
The collection also delves into legal records, press coverage, court transcripts, witness testimony and evidence from multiple criminal and civil cases involving the New Vrindaban commune, several members, and its leader, Bhaktipada. Court transcripts include testimony from devotees revealing intimate details of New Vrindaban society. For example, due to the prominent role of devotee women on fundraising roadtrips, those researching the treatment of women at New Vrindaban might be interested in witness testimony from the 1991 racketeering trial.
The materials appear in a variety of formats, including papers, photographs, slides, cassettes, audio reels and artifacts, such as beads and clothing items.
This collection includes graphic crime scene photos and descriptions of domestic violence and child abuse that may be harmful or difficult to view.
Organization:
The collection is organized into twelve series.
Series 1: New Vrindaban, Records (1967-2015) – Papers related to the daily operation and organization of the New Vrindaban commune in Moundsville, West Virginia.
Series 2: Kirtanananda Bhaktipada Swami, Personal Papers and Correspondence (1949-2011) – Essays, meditations and letters written by the Swami Bhaktipada, as well as personal papers from his childhood and early adulthood.
Series 3: Henry Doktorski, Research and Correspondence (1974-2020) – Personal notes, incoming and outgoing letters, and academic articles pertaining to Doktorski's research for several books on New Vrindaban and Swami Bhaktipada.
Series 4: Steven Bryant (Sulocana Das), Personal Papers and Correspondence (1970-1989) – Personal papers and writings about New Vrindaban by former devotee Steven Bryant prior to his murder in 1986.
Series 5: Court Records and Police Reports (1968-1999) – Legal documents and evidence from civil and criminal cases related to the Swami Bhaktipada and New Vrindaban, including racketeering, arson, and homicide.
Series 6: News Clippings (1966-2019) – Newspaper, magazine and journal articles related to the New Vrindaban commune and Swami Bhaktipada.
Series 7: New Vrindaban and ISKCON Publications (1952-2015) – Hare Krishna associated newsletters, magazines and journals.
Series 8: Audiovisual and Digital Media (1970-2011) – Cassettes, magnetic audio tape, VHS tapes, and additional formats of meetings and religious ceremonies at New Vrindaban and religious music.
Series 9: Photographs and Slides (1970s-1990s) – Print photographs and slides depicting life in the New Vrindaban commune as well as several trips to India.
Series 10: Artifacts – Items from the New Vrindaban commune, such as beads and clothing.
Series 11: Books and Unpublished Drafts – Books and drafts written about ISKCON and religious sects, writings by the founder of Hare Krishna, Swami Bhaktipada, Henry Doktorski, Howard Wheeler and various New Vrindaban devotees.
Series 12: Miscellaneous
Note to researchers - Most devotees of New Vrindaban possess both a legal name and a spiritual name that are used interchangeably. Please see below for a guide to key figures:
Keith Ham (Bhaktipada Swami) – Founder and spiritual leader of New Vrindaban.
Steve Bryant (Sulocana Dasa) – Former devotee and vocal critic of Ham/New Vrindaban until his murder in 1986.
Thomas Drescher (Tirtha Swami) – New Vrindaban devotee convicted of Bryant's murder and the murder of devotee Charles Saint Dennis.
Jane Seward Bryant (Yamuna/Jamuna Dasi) – Bryant's ex-wife.
Ralph Seward (Raghunath) – New husband of Bryant's ex-wife, Jane Seward.
Terry Sheldon (Tapahpunja) – Devotee convicted of conspiring to murder Bryant.
John Sinkowski, also known by the alias Paul MacPherson (Janmastami das) – Devotee involved in the conspiracy to murder Bryant.
Richard "Dick" Dezio (Tulasi Dasa) – New Vrindaban attorney.
Dennis Gorrick (Dharmatma) – Leader of the Sankirtan trips.
Christina Mills (Pradhana Gopika) – The only one of Gorrick's three wives to publicly accuse him of domestic abuse.
Randal Gorby (not a devotee) – Friend of New Vrindaban who bought up property on their behalf when locals wouldn't sell to Krishnas.
Henry Doktorski (Hrishikesh) – Former devotee who has since written several books about New Vrindaban and Bhaktipada.
Howard Wheeler (Hayagriva) – Undergraduate student who had an affair with Bhaktipada and ultimately became a lifelong partner.
Susan Joseph (Paurnamasi) – Wife of Wheeler (Hayagriva) in the 1980s.
Devin Wheeler (Samba/Dharmaraja) – Son of Wheeler (Hayagriva).
Ronald Nay (Gopinath/RVC Swami) – Headmaster of New Vrindaban school and community archivist, ultimately charged with sexually abusing boys.
Arthur Villa (Kuladri Dasa) – New Vrindaban temple president from 1976-1986 and key player in the conspiracy to murder Steven Bryant.
Richard Slavin (Radhanath Swami) – New Vrindaban swami involved in the conspiracy to murder Steven Bryant.
Paul Ferry (Parambrahma) – Community manager
Donald Ferry (Mahabuddhi) – Brother of Paul Ferry (Parambrahma) and accountant at New Vrindaban.
Dan Van Pelt (Devananda Dasa) – Temple commander
Jeffrey Michael Cornia (Yudhisthira) – California devotee with a minor role in the conspiracy to murder Steven Bryant.
Steven Fitzpatrick (Sundarakara) – Director of Palace Press
Martin Hausner (Mahatmadas) – California devotee who played a supporting role in the murder of Steven Bryant.
Mark Meberg (Madhava Ghosh) – New Vrindaban devotee involved in agriculture and real estate
Jay Matsya, originally Lee Renolds (Devamrita Swami) – New Vrindaban temple president and sankirtan leader in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Eugene Bilyk (Ganapati Swami) – ISKCON swami and former Chicago temple president
Daniel Reid (Daruka) – New Vrindaban accountant who assisted in the 1983 murder of Charles Saint Dennis.
Alfred Tarantino (Ajeya Dasa/Adi Purusha Swami) – Devotee
Useful Expressions/Terminology:
Sankirtan – Donation seeking
Sankirtan Devotees/Pickers – Devotees on the road collecting donations and selling merchandise like hats and stickers.
Someone is "on the pick" – out on the road collecting
Prasadam – Food
Laxmi - Money
Permission to publish or reproduce is required from the copyright holder. For more information, please see the Permissions and Copyright page on the West Virginia and Regional History Center website.
Special licensing restrictions may apply to documentaries until December 2027. For more information, please contact the West Virginia & Regional History Center reference department at https://westvirginia.libanswers.com/wvrhc.
Due to student records, box 1 folder 4 is closed for 75 years.
Due to PII, box 1 folder 14 will be restricted for 75 years after the date of record creation, but users may complete the Agreement for the Use of Sensitive Materials to request access to these materials prior to the expiration of the restriction. Please contact the West Virginia & Regional History Center at https://westvirginia.libanswers.com/wvrhc in advance to request access.
Due to Protective Health Information (PHI), box 3 folder 10 is closed for 100 years from the date of creation unless an individual grants permission to access the record or the WVRHC is given proof of death that occurred in excess of 50 years prior to the date of request. Researchers collecting summary data may submit an Access Request Form.
This series contains papers related to the daily operation and organization of the New Vrindaban commune in Moundsville, West Virginia.
Due to student records, box 1 folder 4 is closed for 75 years.
Due to PII, box 1 folder 14 will be restricted for 75 years after the date of record creation, but users may complete the Agreement for the Use of Sensitive Materials to request access to these materials prior to the expiration of the restriction. Please contact the West Virginia & Regional History Center at https://westvirginia.libanswers.com/wvrhc in advance to request access.
Due to Protective Health Information (PHI), box 3 folder 10 is closed for 100 years from the date of creation unless an individual grants permission to access the record or the WVRHC is given proof of death that occurred in excess of 50 years prior to the date of request. Researchers collecting summary data may submit an Access Request Form.
This series contains essays and meditations written by the Swami Bhaktipada, incoming and outgoing correspondence, and personal papers from his childhood and early adulthood.
Correspondence to and from devotees in Bombay.
Correspondence to and from devotees in Canada.
Correspondence to and from devotees in Cleveland.
Correspondence to and from devotees in Africa.
This series contains personal notes, incoming and outgoing letters, and academic articles pertaining to Doktorski's research for several books on New Vrindaban and Swami Bhaktipada. There is no clear connection to link specific folders of material with specific works by Doktorski.
This series contains personal papers and writings about New Vrindaban by former devotee Steven Bryant prior to his murder in 1986.
Due to attorney-client privilege, box 10 folders 13 and 18 are restricted for 75 years from the date of record creation. Users may complete the Agreement for the Use of Sensitive Materials before restriction expires.
Due to PII, box 10 folder 28, box 12 folder 7, and box 13 folder 24 will be restricted for 75 years after the date of record creation, but users may complete the Agreement for the Use of Sensitive Materials to request access to these materials prior to the expiration of the restriction. Please contact the West Virginia & Regional History Center at https://westvirginia.libanswers.com/wvrhc in advance to request access.
Researchers may access digitized materials by requesting to view the materials in person by appointment or remotely by contacting the West Virginia & Regional History Center reference department.
This series contains legal documents and evidence from civil and criminal cases related to the Swami Bhaktipada and New Vrindaban, including racketeering, arson, and homicide.
Box 13 folder 12 includes graphic crime scene photos.
Due to attorney-client privilege, box 10 folder 13 is restricted for 75 years from the date of record creation. Users may complete the Agreement for the Use of Sensitive Materials before restriction expires.
Due to attorney-client privilege, box 10 folder 18 is restricted for 75 years from the date of record creation. Users may complete the Agreement for the Use of Sensitive Materials before restriction expires.
Due to PII, box 10 folder 28 will be restricted for 75 years after the date of record creation, but users may complete the Agreement for the Use of Sensitive Materials to request access to these materials prior to the expiration of the restriction. Please contact the West Virginia & Regional History Center at https://westvirginia.libanswers.com/wvrhc in advance to request access.
Due to PII, box 12 folder 7 will be restricted for 75 years after the date of record creation, but users may complete the Agreement for the Use of Sensitive Materials to request access to these materials prior to the expiration of the restriction. Please contact the West Virginia & Regional History Center at https://westvirginia.libanswers.com/wvrhc in advance to request access.
This folder includes graphic crime scene photos.
Physical and digitized copies are available. Researchers may access digitized materials by requesting to view the materials in person by appointment or remotely by contacting the West Virginia & Regional History Center reference department.
Due to PII, box 13 folder 24 will be restricted for 75 years after the date of record creation, but users may complete the Agreement for the Use of Sensitive Materials to request access to these materials prior to the expiration of the restriction. Please contact the West Virginia & Regional History Center at https://westvirginia.libanswers.com/wvrhc in advance to request access.
This series contains newspaper, magazine and journal articles related to the New Vrindaban commune and Swami Bhaktipada.
This series contains Hare Krishna associated newsletters, magazines and journals.
Researchers may access digitized and born digital materials by requesting to view the materials in person by appointment or remotely by contacting the West Virginia & Regional History Center reference department.
Some materials must be digitized for research access. Researchers must contact the West Virginia & Regional History Center reference department in advance.
This series includes cassettes, magnetic audio tape, VHS tapes, and additional formats of meetings and religious ceremonies at New Vrindaban and religious music.
Researchers may access born digital materials by requesting to view the materials in person by appointment or remotely by contacting the West Virginia & Regional History Center reference department.
Some audiovisual materials must be digitized for research access. Researchers must contact the West Virginia & Regional History Center reference department in advance.
Some audiovisual materials must be digitized for research access. Researchers must contact the West Virginia & Regional History Center reference department in advance.
Researchers may access born digital materials by requesting to view the materials in person by appointment or remotely by contacting the West Virginia & Regional History Center reference department.
Some audiovisual materials must be digitized for research access. Researchers must contact the West Virginia & Regional History Center reference department in advance.
This series contains print photographs and slides depicting life in the New Vrindaban commune as well as several trips to India. Some of these have been scanned. The images are mostly/all unidentified.
Researchers may access digitized materials by requesting to view the materials in person by appointment or remotely by contacting the West Virginia & Regional History Center reference department.
Researchers may access digitized materials by requesting to view the materials in person by appointment or remotely by contacting the West Virginia & Regional History Center reference department.
Some of these prints have been scanned. Researchers may access digitized materials by requesting to view the materials in person by appointment or remotely by contacting the West Virginia & Regional History Center reference department.
This series contains items from the New Vrindaban commune, such as beads and clothing.
Included in this series is a digital copy of one book, which researchers may access by requesting to view the materials in person by appointment or remotely by contacting the West Virginia & Regional History Center reference department.
This series contains books and drafts written about ISKCON and religious sects, writings by the founder of Hare Krishna, Swami Bhaktipada, Henry Doktorski, Howard Wheeler and various New Vrindaban devotees.
Includes one book that has been digitized, which researchers may access by requesting to view the materials in person by appointment or remotely by contacting the West Virginia & Regional History Center reference department.