Historic New Harmony and USI Foundation announce the acquisition of 19 works of Harmonist furniture

University of Southern Indiana's Historic New Harmony and the USI Foundation announce the acquisition of 19 significant works of Harmonist furniture to be displayed in the David Lenz House later this summer.  

These 19 artifacts join five pieces of Harmony Society furniture previously purchased in September 2016 that currently reside in the David Lenz House. Through a rich partnership with the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in Indiana, the David Lenz House continues to be a "must-see" on guided tours, enhanced by these fine examples of Harmonist life and expanded gardens.    

The very rare artifacts came from a private collector in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area, Patty Clendennen and her late husband, Bob. Five of the 19 artifacts are gifts from the Clendennens in support and appreciation of the University and Historic New Harmony's mission of education and preservation.  

"The Clendennens are widely recognized as the preeminent collectors and authorities of Harmonist furniture and works, zeroing in on quality, condition and provenance.   Adding artifacts to our world-class collections that are not just "of the period" but actual, well preserved Harmonist items - each with a solid provenance - is thrilling for the Historic New Harmony team," said Daniel Mason, Assistant Director of Historic New Harmony. "Highlighting the artifacts as we present the New Harmony story makes visitor's time here even more exciting and educational. A sincere 'thank you' to Connie Weinzapfel, Director Emerita of Historic New Harmony, for her role in connecting all the parties."  

The purchase of the artifacts was made possible by a generous gift from The Lawrence S. and Christa C. Thurman Fund with the USI Foundation earmarked for Economist issues, including acquisitions.  

"I excitedly supported the Clendennen Harmonist Acquisition earmarked for the David Lenz House," said Christa Thurman Sala. "Lawrence's love for all things Harmonist came through his deep involvement with Harmonist history and objects when he became the first professionally trained historian employed to run Old Economy by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission in 1949. As a born Hoosier he would be thrilled to know these artifacts are finally finding their way to the only other site with Harmonist connections, Historic New Harmony," she said. 

Members of the religious communal group, the Harmonists, who built the town of New Harmony from 1814 to 1824 were excellent craftsmen and made nearly all the furniture they used. When they sold the town to Robert Owen in 1825, they took everything that could be loaded in a flatboat or on a wagon back to Pennsylvania where they built their final home near Pittsburgh.  The artifacts have found their way back home again after 200 years.    

The USI Foundation was pleased to organize and underwrite the professional transfer of these precious gifts from the Clendennen home in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania to New Harmony. "The USI Foundation is profoundly grateful to Patty Clendennen and Christa Thurman," notes David A. Bower, Vice President for Development and President, USI Foundation. "These generous donors are providing a living legacy that will be appreciated by untold thousands of people in the generations who follow us," Bower added.   

For more information, please contact Daniel Mason, Assistant Director of Historic New Harmony, at 812-682-4488 or dcmason@usi.edu.  You can also learn more about Historic New Harmony at www.USI.edu/HNH