New Harmony works well for groups. The historic district is compact and walkable. The story is substantial enough to engage people with different interests. And we're set up to handle groups of various sizes: tour companies, school groups, organizations, family reunions, elder hostel programs, whatever you're bringing.
Groups need planning, though. We need advance notice to schedule interpreters, arrange timing and make sure we're ready for you. Walk-ins work fine for a few people, but for groups, you need to call ahead.
Generally, 10 or more people. At that point, you need a reservation rather than just showing up. Larger groups—25 or more—may need to be divided into multiple tour groups for the best experience.
If you're not sure whether your party counts as a group, just contact us and ask. We'll figure it out.
Interpreters, tram drivers and other staff need to know you're coming so we can have enough people available. Last-minute groups stress everyone out and lead to worse experiences.
With advance notice, we can tailor the tour to your group's interests, adjust timing if needed or add elements that make sense for your specific needs. Day-of requests? Much harder.
Groups that book ahead get the tour times that work for their schedule. Groups that show up unannounced get whatever's available, if anything is.
Accessibility accommodations, dietary restrictions for programs that include meals, specific interpretation requests—these things take preparation. Tell us ahead of time and we can make it happen.
Bringing a busload? We can handle it. Let us know your arrival time, how long you have and whether you're combining our tour with other activities in town. We'll coordinate to make it smooth.
We love working with schools. Student groups get special pricing and programming designed for their age and curriculum needs.
Classes studying history, religion, sociology, architecture, education or related fields find New Harmony valuable. We can work with faculty to customize tours that connect with course content and provide access to primary sources when appropriate.
Historical societies, garden clubs, architectural groups, church groups, civic organizations—if you're interested in what happened here, we're interested in hosting you.
Programs for older adult learners work well at New Harmony. We can provide more in-depth interpretation, allow extra time for questions and discussion and connect the history to broader themes.
Bringing extended family or a private group? We can arrange tours for you. Larger family groups might prefer private tours outside regular public tour times. Contact us to discuss options and pricing.
Looking for something different for a retreat or professional development? New Harmony's history of experimental communities, leadership challenges and managing diverse perspectives offers surprising relevance for contemporary organizations.
Our standard History Tour lasts about 90 minutes, but we can adjust for groups with time constraints or interest in going deeper.
Want to emphasize education history? Scientific contributions? Religious dimensions? Community dynamics? Let us know what interests your group, and our interpreters can adjust emphasis accordingly.
If group members have mobility limitations, hearing impairments or other accessibility needs, tell us. We'll work with you to plan the best possible experience.
Beyond the basic tour, we can sometimes add presentations, collection viewings, discussions with staff or other elements depending on timing, staff availability and your group's interests.
Coordinating your New Harmony visit with other area attractions? We're happy to work with your schedule and provide timing that fits your larger itinerary.
Call 812-682-3168 or email David Angel at dwangel@usi.edu to discuss your group visit. We'll need to know:
If you have flexibility on dates or timing, mention that. It gives us more options for scheduling and sometimes makes customization easier.
The earlier you book, the more options you have for dates and times. Groups booking last-minute might find limited availability, especially during peak seasons.
We'll confirm your reservation, provide final details about arrival and logistics and answer any remaining questions before your visit.
We're here to help make your group visit work. Contact David Angel at dwangel@usi.edu or 812-682-3168 to discuss your needs and start planning.