New Harmony was founded almost two hundred years ago first as a spiritual community, then as a haven for scholars, scientists, and educators whose visions of a utopian communal society gave rise to many progressive ideas and philosophies and inspired social change. We’d like to hear from all of you what your ideal vision of “Utopia” would be and why.
In 1937, the State of Indiana created the first New Harmony Memorial Commission to help the community preserve and protect its history. In 1992, the University of Southern Indiana established a partnership with the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites, encouraging cultural and educational programs, while maintaining historic properties in New Harmony.
The Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites operates, maintains, and preserves the following historic sites in New Harmony:
Community House No. 2 – Located at 410 Main St. Community House No. 2 (also known as the Dormitory) functioned as a community building for both the Harmonist and Owen-Maclure experiments.
Thrall’s Opera House – Located at 612 Church St. Thrall’s Opera House was originally built by the Harmonists as the fourth and last dormitory for the community. The Owen-Maclure community used the space for a variety of purposes; it was transformed into a theatre in 1859.
Fauntleroy House – The house known as the Fauntleroy House today was originally built by the Harmonists as dwelling #53.
Harmonist Cemetery –The Harmonists established the cemetery as the resting place for over 200 members who died due to harsh conditions of their frontier life.
Harmonist Labyrinth–This foliage maze, constructed near the site of the original Harmonist labyrinth, has delighted visitors for decades.
Scholle House–The Scholle House was built for Matthaus Scholle, the Harmonist shoemaker, around 1820. The house is now a gallery space for temporary exhibitions.