USI Historic New Harmony Heritage Artisans Days happening April 23-24

The University of Southern Indiana is excited to announce Historic New Harmony’s annual Heritage Artisans Days, taking place Thursday and Friday, April 23-24. The event will showcase skilled artisans bringing 19th century trades and professions to life, offering attendees an immersive glimpse into how craftspeople once lived and worked in early New Harmony. Students from across the Tri-state region will have the chance to engage directly with the artisans learning what day-to-day life was like during the era.

This year’s featured artisans include a basket weaver, a blacksmith, a candle maker, a fur trader and a naturalist, among others. To further support educators, educational materials with lesson plans and classroom activities will be available to enrich and extend the learning experience.

“Heritage Artisans Days continues to be a meaningful highlight for our staff and volunteers. Sharing New Harmony’s vibrant history and culture with students, educators and families is something we truly cherish,” said Leslie Townsend, Director of Community Engagement at USI and Historic New Harmony. “We often meet adults who fondly recall attending this event as children, and it’s inspiring to see how those early experiences stay with them.”

Please note that Historic New Harmony tours will not be available during these dates. This includes tram tours and the daily 1 p.m. tour. However, the public is encouraged to visit and enjoy the artisan demonstrations between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., with afternoons being the ideal time to explore.

For more information on Heritage Artisan Days, visit USI.edu/heritage.

Historic New Harmony is a program of the University of Southern Indiana. By preserving its utopian legacy, Historic New Harmony inspires innovation and progressive thought through its programs and collections. Its office is a part of USI's Outreach and Engagement.