Free Acres was created in 1910 as a social experiment by Bolton Hall, an Irish-born New York entrepreneur, reformer and follower of Leo Tolstoy.

[2] Hall believed in economist Henry George's idea of single taxation, under which residents pay a land value tax to the community based on the value of the land alone, and in turn, the community pays a lump sum to the municipality.

The 75-acre (300,000 m2) wooded community of 85 households is located about 33 mi (53 km) west of New York City.

The association maintains the community's streets and swimming pool, approves architectural changes to homes, and pays a lump sum in taxes to the two municipalities.

It has been home to scientists who worked at the nearby Bell Labs Murray Hill.