You can walk around New Harmony on your own and see the buildings, but to really understand what happened here—what the Harmonists, Owenites, and later generations tried to create, why it mattered, what they left behind—you need a guide.
Our interpreter-led tours take you inside historic buildings you can't access otherwise. They tell you the stories of the people who lived and worked here. They explain the ideas that drove these experiments and why those ideas still matter. And they give you context that turns old buildings into meaningful history.
Most of the buildings you'll see on the History Tour and some Specialty Tours are not open to the public outside of guided tours. This is your chance to step inside spaces where the Harmonists, Owenites and others lived and worked.
We use a tram to transport tour groups between some of the historic buildings in the district. This makes the tour more comfortable, especially in hot or cold weather, and allows us to cover more ground without wearing you out. You may still do some walking, but the tram handles the longer distances between sites.
Our interpreters know this history deeply. They're ready to answer questions, discuss interpretations and help you connect New Harmony's story to bigger questions about community, belief and social change.
Good tours tell stories. Ours focuses on the people who came here, what they were trying to do and what happened, including the parts that didn't work out as planned.
We're not rushing you through. There's time to look around, ask questions and think about what you're seeing.
The best tours involve conversation. Ask about anything: the architecture, the people, the ideas, what life was actually like here. That's what our interpreters are for.
Beyond our regular guided tours, we occasionally offer specialty experiences:
Get access to collections or buildings not usually included in public tours. These tours offer deeper dives into specific topics or rarely seen parts of New Harmony's history.
Special tours focused on specific aspects of New Harmony's story: women in the communities, scientific work, religious practices, architecture, public art or other topics.
Holiday programs, garden tours, special anniversary commemorations or other seasonal offerings.
Customized programs for school groups, universities or organizations with specific learning goals.
Check our events calendar for current specialty offerings or contact us if you're interested in a particular topic or experience.
While most historic buildings are only accessible during guided tours, you can explore much of New Harmony on your own:
Pick up a free map of New Harmony at the Atheneum Visitors Center or download one from the Visit New Harmony website. The map identifies historic sites, gardens, points of interest, trails and businesses in town.
Many outdoor spaces—public gardens, parks, the Harmonist Labyrinth, contemporary architecture like the Roofless Church—are accessible anytime and free to explore.
Self-guided exploration lets you go at your own pace, but you won't get inside most historic buildings, and you'll miss the stories and context that our interpreters provide. We recommend combining both: take a guided tour, then explore on your own afterward.
Walk-ins are welcome based on availability, but we strongly recommend advance reservations, especially during peak seasons (spring and fall), weekends and holidays.
Comfortable walking shoes. Weather-appropriate clothing. Water, especially in summer.
Some historic buildings have accessibility limitations due to their age and construction: stairs, narrow doorways, uneven floors. If you have specific accessibility needs, contact us before booking so we can discuss options and accommodations.
Personal photography is welcome throughout the tour. We ask that you be respectful of other tour participants and avoid using flash around collection items.
Children are welcome on tours. Younger children may find our 90-minute History Tour challenging, so use your judgment about what will work for your family.
Planning a visit with a group, school, organization or tour company? We can customize tours and programs to fit your needs, schedule and interests.
Ready to explore New Harmony's history? Book your guided tour or contact us with questions by contacting David Angel at dwangel@usi.edu or 812-682-3168.