Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Raske to portray Jane Addams for New Harmony's Independence Day celebration
 The town of New Harmony will commemorate its 193rd July 4th celebration in much the same way that it was celebrated during the early 19th century. The celebration will begin at 10 a.m. at the Rapp-Owen Granary with patriotic speeches, music, and a reading of the Declaration of Independence. This event is free to attend and open to the public. The featured speaker is “Miss Jane Addams,” founder of Hull House, the early 20th century settlement house in Chicago. Miss Addams last spoke in New Harmony in 1899. Her appearance is recreated by Dr. Martha Raske, associate professor of social work and a resident of New Harmony. The celebratory festivities will move to Maclure Park in New Harmony where the community picnic and decorated golf cart parade will begin at 11 a.m. Music will be provided by the Red Bank Reunion Band. The picnic will feature a variety of food items for sale, including hot dogs, hamburgers, bratwurst, cobbler, and ice cream. Games for kids of all ages will be available. In the tradition of New Harmony’s founding Harmonists, free (root) beer will be available for all attendees. During their early celebrations of the Fourth of July, members of the Harmonie Society would invite area residents into their community offering locally brewed beer to their guests. New Harmony’s Traditional Fourth of July Celebration is sponsored by the New Harmony Kiwanis, the Friends of the Working Men’s Institute, and Historic New Harmony. Samantha Brown Historic New Harmony sabrown1@usi.edu 812/682-4488 |
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