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 1985, the University of Southern Indiana established a partnership with Historic New Harmony, encouraging cultural and educational programs, while maintaining historic properties. Within the USI Foundation, the Historic New Harmony Advisory Board supports the mission of Historic New Harmony.
Today, as a unified program of the University of Southern Indiana and the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites, Historic New Harmony realizes its mission of preserving New Harmony’s utopian legacy by inspiring renewal and fellowship between people and communities through its programs and collections. This work expands the original intent of the university’s involvement in New Harmony, which was to nurture this living laboratory for ideas - a place where students and teachers, tourists and scholars, leaders and seekers, can come together to experience, explore, and create.
Opportunities for collaboration among USI faculty, staff, students and New Harmony are facilitated by Historic New Harmony, a department within the division of Outreach and Engagement. These opportunities include the development of research projects and service learning courses, and experiential learning in New Harmony. Funding is available through the New Harmony Outreach and Engagement Fund and the Endowment for New Harmony Studies. Temporary office space and overnight accomodations are available to visiting scholars. Custom retreats for groups and organizations are developed by USI's Center for Human Resource Development in partnership with Historic New Harmony.
Please contact Missy Parkison, Community Engagement Manager, 812.682.4488 or mparkison@usi.edu.