For more than three decades, Eustace Conway, a preservationist, builder, and a man seemingly out of time, harbored a mission to rescue America from modernity. However, as the relentless march of modernity persisted, Eustace found himself at a crossroads, prompting reflection on his life’s purpose and legacy.
In a candid interview conducted in early August 2020, Eustace shared his enduring commitment to “save the world” by illuminating the path to human salvation. The interview took place on Eustace’s back porch overlooking Boone, North Carolina, enveloped in the darkness of a rural Southern night. Despite the rustic setting, Eustace’s reference to “light” transcended the physical realm, harking back to the beacon of enlightenment he envisioned in his youth. Reflecting on his earlier idealism, Eustace chuckled at the naivety of his younger self.
Eustace’s journey unfolded in the establishment of Turtle Island Preserve in 1987, encompassing over 1,000 acres of Southern Appalachian wilderness. It served as a preindustrial farm and education center, embodying Eustace’s vision of guiding humanity to embrace a seventeenth-century lifestyle. Turtle Island became a haven for countless individuals seeking to reconnect with nature, offering camps, internships, workshops, and volunteer opportunities. Eustace, dubbed “the Last American Man” by Elizabeth Gilbert, garnered folk hero status as he inspired others to create sanctuaries of moral and ecological refuge.
However, Eustace’s relentless dedication took a toll on his well-being. Working tirelessly, he pushed himself to the brink, facing physical and mental exhaustion. He likened the toll of Turtle Island to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and acknowledged that persisting would have led to his literal demise.
In an unexpected turn, Eustace, now 59 years old, began withdrawing from the Preserve and embracing a slower pace. Although he remains active, even starring in the tenth season of the History channel’s “Mountain Men,” Eustace has transitioned to restoring old houses in the Boone area. This new endeavor serves as a simplified version of his Turtle Island mission, with the restored houses acting as his new classroom for imparting life lessons.
Eustace’s evolving perspective on life is not without challenges. The transition of Turtle Island Preserve faces hurdles due to Eustace’s founder’s syndrome and his domineering personality. The delicate balance of finding a successor who can carry on the legacy while allowing Eustace to relinquish control remains elusive.
Despite his frustrations, Eustace perceives a broader societal issue. He attributes the challenges to a perceived decline in the capabilities of modern Americans, labeling them as the “most incapable people” in the last three million years of human existence. He speculates that his and his father’s behaviors may be linked to undiagnosed cases of Asperger’s, offering a potential explanation for their difficulty in connecting with others.
In contemplating his tumultuous relationship with his father, Eustace acknowledges the pain but recognizes it as a catalyst for creating Turtle Island. He believes that enduring hardship allowed him to rise above personal needs and pursue a higher value despite discomfort.
As the interview delves deeper, Eustace, nearing the eleventh hour of conversation, becomes emotional. Quoting Martin Luther King, he reflects on the true measure of a man in times of challenge and controversy.
Ultimately, the interviewer, who had once considered joining Eustace in the transition team for Turtle Island, opted for a different path. The challenges and sacrifices associated with running the Preserve led to a decision to pursue a job in Minneapolis instead.
In the context of the tumultuous events of 2020, the interviewee reflects on the urgency of heeding Eustace’s call for a return to self-sufficiency and survival. The juxtaposition of global crises underscores the need for collective action, echoing the ethos of Turtle Island: no one can do it all alone.
While the Preserve’s future remains uncertain, the interviewer acknowledges that it will always hold a place in their life, drawn to the allure of this heavenly place—a sentiment shared by many who have encountered the unique legacy of Eustace Conway and Turtle Island Preserve.
At the conclusion of our initial interview, Eustace shares an intriguing anecdote about an older gentleman from South Carolina whom he has never met but has been in telephonic contact with for over a year. This man, unfamiliar to Eustace in person but intimately acquainted through television, represents a throwback to an old-school culture. Recently, Eustace promised to call him, and true to his word, he did. This act of reliability brings solace to Eustace, signaling the presence of another individual akin to Preston—an outlier hailing from a vanishing realm of honor, integrity, and dependability.
The connection is reciprocal. Eustace reveals that the older gentleman on the phone is disconcerted by the modern world, finding it to be a chaotic domain. In his yearning for a simpler existence, he envisions a place to spend his remaining days—a place where he can live out his days in tranquility. Eustace acknowledges that the man may romanticize his own life and, perhaps, does not fully comprehend the multitude of responsibilities Eustace juggles. Despite this, Eustace expresses the hope that he can provide a sanctuary for this kindred spirit.
However, when the anticipated day arrives, the older gentleman fails to materialize. Whether due to a lapse in his commitment or the passage of time taking its toll, he repeatedly postpones the trip, the latest excuse attributed to a bout of unfortunate Chinese cuisine. Yet, Eustace maintains unwavering faith that, one day, the older gentleman will fulfill his intentions. The vision persists—that someday, he will journey to these sprawling acres, surrender to the embrace of nature, and peacefully conclude his life under the open sky.
In contrast, Eustace contemplates his own existence, acknowledging that the only force capable of disrupting the peace he deserves is his relentless drive to assist others and demonstrate an alternative way of life. Despite the challenges and demands he faces, this commitment remains an integral part of Eustace’s identity, defining his purpose beyond personal tranquility.