New+Harmony,+Ind.

=New Harmony, Indiana=

> //**"By preserving its utopian legacy, Historic New Harmony will inspire renewal and fellowship between people and communities through its programs and collections."**// > **//--[|Historic New Harmony Mission Statement]//**

[|New Harmony, Indiana] in the southwest corner of Indiana is a community that has actively preserved its rich and diverse history. This is a case of an entire area is declared a national landmark and historic site. The site was listed as a historic landmark in since 1965 and is currently listed in a watch status with the Indiana Historic Landmarks. The main reason for concern with the town is how close to the Wabash River it is located. River erosion is a serious concern for the entire region, which is also the home to a Indian village that has been almost completely consumed by the river. For more information about the Indiana Historic Landmarks listed by communities go to, http://www.hometownlocator.com/Landmarks.cfm?StateFIPS=18&StartRow=21.

The New Harmony community was literally carved out of the forests of the state by George Rapp and his followers, the Rappittes. They came from Germany in 1814 looking for a place to create heaven on earth. This was a celibate society that believed the second coming of Christ would occur within Rapp's lifetime. This community became known world wide for its rope and whiskey, which is ironic because the group did not drink alcoholic beverages. Later in 1824, the society decided that the area was becoming too populace and decided to return to Economy, Pennsylvania and then eventually return to Germany. Father Rapp, as he was called, sold the entire town, buildings and land to Robert Owen a Scottish entrepreneur, that wanted to try a social experiment of a similar, yet completely different concept.

The Owenites, as history would name them, was also a utopian society but was of a secular nature rather than a religious center. Robert Owen (1771-1858) is credited with created the idea and the word socialism. He wanted to show that all people are equal as long as the playing field is the same. It was a system designed to encourage and promote a society without class and rank. The Owenites established the Workingman's Institute, dedicated to preserving the knowledge of the working man. Today the Workingman's Institute is a museum that features the agricultural and early industrial work of the 19th and early 20th century for southwestern Indiana.

> //**"In ancient times, there was a prayer for 'the Stranger within our gates. Because this hotel is a human institution to serve people, and not solely a money-making organization, we hope that God will grant you peace and rest while you are under our roof."**//

> **//--Sign in the [|The New Harmony Inn] lobby//**

New Harmony has preserved many of its original buildings from the Rappittes to the Owen community. The town has hosted many conferences on not just utopian ideas, but it encourages art and theater in the tradition of the Owens, who believed enlightenment came from experience, and the arts played a major role in that communities history. To find out more about New Harmony, visit the web site at, http://www.usi.edu/hnh/harmonist.asp. Here are some pictures of the historic district.







//**Primary author of this page: Jennifer Greene**//