New Harmony Indiana for a Utopian Fall Getaway

One of the best places to visit on a crisp fall weekends in the state is New Harmony Indiana, on the Wabash River. This utopian town is in Posey County Indian. It is considered part of the Evansville Metropolitan. New Harmony was founded in 1814 under the name Harmony Indiana by a German immigrant named Johann George Rapp. He was the founder of a group known as the Harmonies or Rapides. It was one of three towns founded by the German Religious group who believed in communal living. The other two towns were Harmony Pennsylvania and Economy Pennsylvania.

Born in Impingent, Duchy of Württemberg, Germany, in the 1780s, George Rapp began preaching and to gather a group followers. The group split with the Lutheran Church in the Lomersheimer Declaration, written in 1798, the Rappites no longer served in the military or went to Lutheran schools. In 1803, Rapp's followers were being persecuted by the local government. Rapp decided to establish his group in the United States.

This first commune, 'Harmonies' grew to have 800 inhabitants, the commune was industrious and prospered .The Harmony Society was created and to make sure all property and profits were held in common. Rapp was the undisputed leader of the community and all answered to him. The group also practiced celibacy and strict separation of the sexes.

In 1814, the first commune was sold to Mennonites for 10 times the original cost oft the land. And the entire commune went to Indiana where their new town again known as Harmony was established .Ten years later the now prosperous Indiana town was sold to Robert Owen , who wished to create a utopian commune based on Enlightenment ideals.

The "New Society" lasted but a short two years as they could not come to a consensus on how to govern their commune. Still , the intellects who gathered in the town had a profound effect on society. Owens's had renamed the town New Harmony and renounced geologist William Macular joined the town in 1826. His presence in the town attracted many of the leading educators and scantiest of the day , which arrive on a boat known as the ", Boatload of Knowledge " called the "Philanthropist"..

Two of Owens sons Robert Dale Owen and David Dale Owen stayed in New Harmony after their father moved to England. Robert Dale Owen served in the Indiana General Assembly and eventually Congress. Robert Dale Owen sponsored the bill that eternally established the Smithsonian Institute. David Dale Owen was the head geologist for the state of Indiana and then the Chief Geologist for the Unitized States. His survey work of 12 Midwestern states mineral resources is credited for opening the Midwest to much of its industrial growth. New Harmony was the site of the U.S Geological Survey from 1836 to-1856T

The New Harmony Workingmen's Institute was founded in the mid 1830's to promote education in the liberal arts for the common working man. In 1893 a large building was constructed to preserve the art and literature of the community and the surrounding county. Today it is an art gallery, public library, and historical society dedicated to Posey County.

Another architectural wonder is the Roofless Church that was designed as a non denominational retreats. It was built by the Robert Lee Baffler Trust to reflect the view of Mrs. Jane Bluffer Owen, "only one roof, the sky, could embrace all worshiping humanity."

The Church is across the street from a park dedicated to theologian Paul Tillich. The pine grove in the park is surrounded by large granite boulders with inspiring passages engraved in them. Tillich Park was dedicated in 1963 by the theologian himself. His ashes were placed in the park on the occasion of Mr. Tillich passing in 1966. Both the Roofless Church and the park are lighted up in the evening for local visitors.

The Athenaeum is another New Harmony architectural attraction. The Athenaeum won the Institute of Architects award for excellence in 1982. It is now host to the Visitors Center and should be one of your first stops in your visit to New Harmony. Cathedral Labyrinth Sacred Garden and Orpheus Fountain is another New Harmony must see. This labyrinth was designed after The Cathedral of Notre Dame's labyrinth in Charters, France.

Thrall's Opera House is one of New Harmony's oldest buildings. It was built originally as a community house in 1824 by Robert Own. In 1888 it was converts to a Romanesque Opera House by Eugene Thrall. It has been hosting musical events since it was a community building in 1827. It was home to the famous Golden Troupe in the 1880's.

The New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art a very large facility that has frequent changing exhibits featuring the Midwest's most noted artists. Music lovers will want to visit Harmonies State Park which has frequent folk and blues grass festivals only a few miles out of town.

The historic district is open seven days a week March 15th through October 31st, 9am-5pm. During November and December, hours may vary. Changes now mean that you can take self guide tour with manned Harmonist sites in the morning and Owen sites manned in the afternoon. For current events and ticket prices please call 812-684-4488 or visit www.newharmony.org.

http://www.usi.edu/hnh/index2.asp

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Harmony,_Indiana

http://www.newharmonyinfo.com/