In Harmony
Summer 2023
Assistant Director’s Update
By Diane Sanders, Assistant Director of Historic New Harmony
New Harmony’s spring showers have turned golden as the city’s beloved goldenrain trees are in bloom. Between that and the rising temperatures, there’s no doubt the summer tourist season has arrived! What a joy it has been watching our brand-new tram buzzing around town filled with visitors eager to learn about New Harmony’s utopian past. I hope you will soon be one of them before the season’s end!
With the start of summer comes the end of our fiscal year, and I am delighted to share we have had many positive developments on this front over the past few months. Lilly Endowment Inc. awarded Historic New Harmony more than $2 million in a five-year implementation grant through its Religion and Cultural Institutions Initiative. The Wabash River Heritage Corridor Commission also provided a $1,000 grant from the Amenity Fund Sponsorship to improve landscaping and provide native plantings around the wayside signs at the Atheneum. I’m honored to have the support of these organizations, and I can’t wait to unveil the improvements made possible by these funds. Stay tuned for updates!
The composition of our Advisory Board transitions at this time of year with outgoing members’ terms ending on June 30 and new members’ terms beginning the following day on July 1. I would like to thank our outgoing Board members for their service and generosity to Historic New Harmony: Rod Clark, Melodee Dubois (Vice Chair, Development), Ed Jones, Lisa Muller, Tara Overton, Michelangelo Sabatino, Katie Waters (Chair), Barbara Williams, Brian Williams and Scott Wylie. I would also like to extend a warm welcome to our 11 new Board members: Kent Brasseale, Greg Brown, Marsh Davis, Del Doughty, Judy Griffin, John Grizzell, Ron Henderson, Bill Muller, Barbara Northern, Trudy Stock and Linda Willis. Finally, I’d like to congratulate Ed Jones for becoming a life member, Silvia Rode on becoming Chair, Jamie Wicks on becoming Vice Chair Development, and Lisa Brooks on continuing as Vice Chair Special Events. I’m excited to work with the new Advisory Board to strategize for the future and plan another year’s worth of tours, educational programming and events!
With these developments and many more that you will read about in this edition of In Harmony, it’s easy to be optimistic about Historic New Harmony’s future. This summer, we will be resuming the strategic planning process that began last year and was later put on hold. With new circumstances, new opportunities, and our new tram, the possibilities truly are endless! I’m looking forward to implementing the strategies and processes needed to make our dream a reality. I hope you will lend us your support as we begin this exciting journey ahead.
New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art Update
Jacinda Russell’s Metaphorical Antipodes: Stories of Ice
By T Lance, Senior Gallery Associate, New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art
New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art, University of Southern Indiana is proud to present Metaphorical Antipodes: Stories of Ice featuring photography and sculpture by Indiana artist Jacinda Russell. Metaphorical Antipodes: Stories of Ice will be on view from June 10 through August 5, 2023. New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art’s open hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (CDT).
In Metaphorical Antipodes: Stories of Ice, Jacinda Russell combines three bodies of work that document time, environments, and loss. Through photography and sculpture, each series records a different element of the rapidly changing landscape in the polar regions. Utilizing precarious materials and embracing moments of denied access, Russell’s process reflects both the beauty of the planet and the ever-present feeling of powerlessness to protect it.
Jacinda Russell is a conceptual artist who seeks the edges, the ends of the line, and the blue in between. She works primarily in the mediums of photography, sculpture, installation, and bookmaking. Her artwork has been exhibited at the Atlanta Contemporary Art Center (Atlanta, GA), Texas Gallery (Houston, TX), Houston Center for Photography (Houston, TX), and the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station (Antarctica). She is the recipient of the 2019 and 2022 DeHaan Artist of Distinction Award of the Arts Council of Indianapolis and the Photographic Arts Council / Los Angeles Research Fellowship at the Center for Creative Photography. Born in Idaho, she received her BFA from Boise State University in Studio Art and her MFA from the University of Arizona. Currently, she lives in Indianapolis and works as an Associate Professor of Art at Ball State University.
This exhibition is made possible in part by the Efroymson Family Fund, Arts Council of Southwestern Indiana, and the Indiana Arts Commission, which receives support from the State of Indiana and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Upcoming Exhibition: Mary Laube, August 12–September 16, 2023
By T Lance, Senior Gallery Associate, New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art
“Mary Laube’s work represents the instability of identity and culture within the context of transnational narratives. How can art disrupt reductive and colonial perspectives of culture? How can abstraction propose new worlds and futures? Her paintings engage these questions through the representation and abstraction of museum artifacts from her birthplace. Objects such as Korean wrapping cloths, ink stones, Buddhist statues, and folk paintings surface in the work as synthesized forms that appear flattened, off-kilter and often unnamable. She uses abstraction as a device for reshaping seemingly embalmed fragments of history into mutable ideas. Through reimagining historical objects, her paintings become artifacts of displacement, reunion, decolonization, memorial and myth.
Laube (born Seoul, Korea, 1985) is an Assistant Professor at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She received her MFA (2012) from The University of Iowa and her BFA (2009) from Illinois State University. Past exhibitions include the Knoxville Museum of Art, Ortega y Gasset Projects (NYC), VCU Qatar (Doha), Monaco (St. Louis), The Spring Break Art Show (NYC) and Coop Gallery (Nashville). Artist residencies include Yaddo, Wassaic Project, the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, Vermont Studio Center and Stiwdeo Maelor in Corris, Wales. Past publications include Art Maze Mag, Maake Magazine, and New American Paintings. In 2019, Mary received the Contemporary Visual Art Bronze Award from AHL Foundation. She is a co-founder of the Warp Whistle Project, a collaborative duo with composer Paul Schuette. Together, they make work that merges kinetic stage sets with music performance.” For more information, please visit https://www.marylaube.com/about-flatiron.
Franken-Flowers & Vase-Ensteins, presented by USI Spring 2023 Advanced Ceramics Students and Curated by Ashley Banks and Lisa Ryan-Hutton
By Ashley Banks, Gallery Assistant, New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art
The University of Southern Indiana’s New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art (NHGCA) is proud to present Franken-Flowers & Vase-Ensteins, a group exhibition showcasing a class project from the 2023 Spring Semester advanced ceramics courses.
Franken-Flowers & Vase-Ensteins is open now through July 29. Gallery hours are 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (CDT) Tuesday through Saturday.
"USI students in Ceramics 2, 3, 4 and 489 began this project by each creating a variety of vessel shapes, neck shapes, and handles or sculptural accessories. They then collaborated on putting the parts together to create a variety of vase forms,” said Al Holen, Associate Professor of Ceramics. “The construction took place under ‘Top Chef’ style time limits, so decisions and building took place quickly. After the ‘Vase-Ensteins’ were complete, students studied their creations and took inspiration from them. These inspirations were used in their individual vase creations."
In Franken-Flowers & Vase-Ensteins, whimsy and experimentation run the gambit. Through the collaboration of students, different aesthetics combine to create unexpected and dynamic ceramic works of art.
Artists included in the exhibition are Ashley Banks, Delaney Bigler, Emma Eaton, Elizabeth Garland, Al Holen, Katie Holloway, Ryan Huck, Lisa Ryan-Hutton, Summer Skelton, Shyanne Steward, Jaeda Thomason and Jade Young.
NHGCA is dedicated to enhancing the experiences of students through an artist-run exhibition space in the Back Gallery (BG). BG Projects at NHGCA allows students to exhibit, experiment and/or curate within a working contemporary art gallery setting. Through exhibition and curatorial strategies, students can envision new possibilities for collaborations and their art practice.
NHGCA promotes discourse about and access to contemporary art in the Southern Indiana region.
Did you miss the Residence VII Artists’ Talk?
View it here: https://youtu.be/5QpYMm_bEYg
New in the Gallery Shop
Laura Foster Nicholson
Human Affects
Book
$18/each
Laicee Blackwell *New Artist
It’s a Trap (Passage No. 1)
Yarn
$250
Ron Austill *New Artist
Intarsia cutting boards and ribbon box
Price as marked
Brian Hart
Wood Turnings
Restock
Priced as marked
Elizabeth Arzani *New Artist
The Path Between the Lines
Limited edition rizograph zine
$25 each
Lisa Spillman Haralson
Bird Slates
Restock
$65 each
New Harmony Second Saturdays
The New Harmony Second Saturdays event series continues through November. For more information about upcoming programs and events, please visit www.usi.edu/nhsecondsaturdays, or follow us on Instagram @newharmonysecondsaturdays and on Facebook @NHSecondSaturdays.
Do you have an event for Second Saturdays that you want publicized? Add your information here.
Historic New Harmony News
Historic New Harmony Awarded over $2 Million through Lilly Endowment Initiative
By Leslie Townsend, Director of Community Engagement and Historic New Harmony
The University of Southern Indiana's Historic New Harmony program has been awarded an implementation grant of more than $2 million from Lilly Endowment Inc. The funding is for support of Historic New Harmony’s Religion and Cultural Institutions Initiative.
Through the Religion and Cultural Institutions Initiative, Lilly Endowment has awarded grants totaling more than $86 million to museums and other cultural institutions across the United States to develop exhibitions and educational programs that fairly and accurately portray the role of religion in the U.S. and around the world.
Historic New Harmony was awarded $2,065,701 for a project that includes the restoration and renovation of two historic buildings to be used as exhibition and programming space, development of a new permanent exhibit detailing the religious history of New Harmony and creation of community engagement programming, including a multi-day interfaith festival. The five-year grant also funds the development of a Collections and Exhibition Curator and student fellowship to work with exhibition design and programming.
“This initiative will expand our capacity to share New Harmony's rich cultural and spiritual heritage, and we are honored to receive Lilly Endowment’s support,” said Leslie Townsend, Director of Community Engagement and Historic New Harmony. “Funding will allow us to restore the John and Roxse Beal House into a permanent exhibition space and the former Doctor’s Office exhibit building into a community learning center which will benefit both visitors and residents of New Harmony.”
Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly, Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr. through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. Although the gifts of stock remain a financial bedrock of the Endowment, it is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with the founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education and religion and maintains a special commitment to its founders’ hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana. A primary aim of its grantmaking in religion is to deepen the religious lives of Christians, principally by supporting efforts that enhance congregational vitality and strengthen the leadership of Christian communities. The Endowment values the broad diversity of Christian traditions and endeavors to support them in a wide variety of contexts. The Endowment also seeks to foster public understanding about religion by encouraging fair, accurate and balanced portrayals of the positive and negative effects of religion on the world and lifting up the contributions that people of all faiths make to our greater civic well-being.
Liminal: Indiana in the Anthropocene Film Screening and Exhibit
By Diane Sanders, Assistant Director of Historic New Harmony
Presented by Indiana Humanities, Liminal is a meditative aerial film that illustrates Indiana as a microcosm of this new planetary epoch. It captures features of this global phenomenon within the boundaries of the state, collapsing the global into the local. This program is part of the Unearthed initiative, Indiana Humanities’ multiyear environmental theme, asking Hoosiers to consider their impact on the environment and the environment’s impact on us.
Historic New Harmony will be offering a free screening of Liminal at 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (CDT) on Saturday, August 12 at the Atheneum. An accompanying exhibition of film stills is on display at the Atheneum from Thursday, June 29 to August 20. For more information, visit: https://www.usi.edu/hnh/programs/liminal-indiana-in-the-anthropocene.
USI Communal Studies Association Conference to Explore Communal Theory, Practice and Impact
By Silvia Rode, Chair, Historic New Harmony Advisory Board; Assistant Dean of the College of Liberal Arts; and Director of the Center for Communal Studies
The Communal Studies Association (CSA) Conference will meet Thursday through Saturday, October 5-7, on the USI campus and in New Harmony, Indiana. The theme for the 2023 Conference is “Communal Theory, Practice and Impact,” in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the CSA.
The CSA is an interdisciplinary organization for individuals living in intentional communities, historic site personnel, and academics representing topics including history, anthropology, religious studies, sociology, political science and others.
“This will be a year of celebration as the group, founded by USI’s own Dr. Donald Pitzer when I was an undergrad, returns for its 50th annual Conference,” says Dr. Greg Brown, Conference Committee Chair. “I am excited to see this group of scholars and practitioners focused on positive ways of living return to New Harmony. I believe the focus on human cooperative behavior is as important in 2023 as it has ever been.”
The Conference will open Thursday, October 5 with a banquet in Carter Hall, located in University Center West. On Friday and Saturday, October 6-7, participants will have the opportunity to listen in on various panels, including “What is Happening in Your Community? Why Community Development Matters,” “Following the Feminist Footsteps: Mapping the Movements of Two Communal Socialists,” and many more in various, historic locations around New Harmony. For a full list of panels and locations, visit communalstudies.org.
“The University is uniquely situated to help address some of the contemporary challenges facing humanity because of its Center for Communal Studies, with its collection of over 500 communities, 15,000 images and 243 oral histories,” says Dr. Silvia Rode, Director of the Center for Communal Studies and Assistant Dean of the College of Liberal Arts. “Since 1976, the Center has flourished as the foremost research institution in the United States for historical communal groups, intentional communities and utopia. In addition, USI’s communal studies minor allows students to explore the diverse history and social, economic and political structure of current communal experiments in the United States and the world.”
To learn more about, and register for, the Communal Studies Conference, visit communalstudies.org.
Historic New Harmony’s 39th Annual Heritage Artisans Days—By the Numbers
By Diane Sanders, Assistant Director of Historic New Harmony
Historic New Harmony hosted its 39th annual Heritage Artisans Days on April 12–14 this year. It was the first in-person Heritage Artisans Days since 2019. Over the course of three days, Historic New Harmony served more than 3,100 participants hailing from more than 50 schools and 60 homeschools across the Tri-state region. Seven schools took advantage of grants to alleviate admission and/or transportation costs. Nine interpreters demonstrated their crafts, including a basket weaver, blacksmith, candle dipper, fur trader, oxen driver, paper marbler and bookbinder, quill artist, rope maker and weaver. In addition, two interpreters portrayed New Harmony scientist Thomas Say and a nineteenth-century ship captain. Students could purchase wares from several of the craftsman and whet their appetites at two food stops for rock candy and kettle corn purchases. 42 volunteers worked 21 posts and provided nearly 200 volunteer hours. Ten donors sponsored the artisans, including Bill Elliott, Dan Fuquay, Joseph Laposa and Margaret Piety, Darla Olberding, the Kent and Laurie Parker Family Foundation, Laurel Vaughn, Wendy Igleheart Walker, Karen Walker, Linda Willis and Scott Wylie. Two sponsors, Indiana Humanities and Heritage Federal Credit Union, provided $3,500 in grant funding. The Indiana Army National Guard provided one medic for first aid services during the event. Feedback from one teacher on the impact of Heritage Artisans Days is below:
“Some of my students never get the chance outside of school to see some of these things. We talk about them in class and teach about New Harmony, but many of my students would never get to go there without Heritage Artisans Days. I have several past and present parents and students that still talk about this as their favorite field trip we take.”
We’re delighted that Heritage Artisans Days has become a well-regarded tradition, and we’re excited to welcome our next generation of participants at the 40th annual Heritage Artisans Days on April 24–26, 2024.
Spring Hat Luncheon
By Diane Sanders, Assistant Director of Historic New Harmony
The Historic New Harmony Advisory Board’s Special Events Committee hosted the Spring Hat Luncheon on Saturday, April 22, a week after Heritage Artisans Days. The event was dedicated by Barbara McConnell to the late Hat Luncheon Founders Betty Rice (1930–2021) and Peggy Rapp (1934–2022). Held at the Rapp-Owen Granary, the Luncheon featured a keynote presentation, “The Three Graces by Sandro Botticelli,” by Dr. Shannon Pritchard, USI Associate Professor of Art History, as well as a fashion show by the Mews, live music and a silent auction. Prizes for best hat and most vintage hat were awarded to Linda Volz for her artistic celebration of New Harmony’s sites in millinery form and to Karen Walker for her vintage floral pillbox hat. Proceeds from ticket and silent auction sales tallied up to $4,600, which will go towards supporting Historic New Harmony’s mission. Thank you to everyone who planned, supported, volunteered, and/or attended this event; we greatly appreciate the time, dedication and financial support to make this event possible.
Front (left to right): Donna Kohlmeyer and Nancy Manchette
Front (left to right): Lora DeFries Arneberg and Mary Beth Guard
Spring Programming and Upcoming Events
By Diane Sanders, Assistant Director of Historic New Harmony
Second Saturdays continued to be popular and filled the town with participants this spring. Historic New Harmony opened the Lichtenberger Building for visitors to enjoy the Karl Bodmer exhibition in April and hosted a historic preservation tour in May for preservation month. We partnered with the New Harmony State Historic Site in June to offer a program featuring Dr. Michael Strezewski, USI Associate Professor of Anthropology, and one of his students to discuss the Summer 2023 Field School archaeological dig and findings at the Barchet sisters’ cabin site (north of the Fauntleroy Home).
Historic New Harmony supported the New Harmony Firefly Festival, opening the Atheneum during the evening of June 16 and 17. Interpretive staff provided several tram tours to one of New Harmony’s prime viewing areas each night, describing the historical connection to naturalist Thomas Say from the Owen/Maclure period and facts about the firefly. We were delighted to participate in such a fun, wonder-inducing event, and anticipate making it an annual tradition.
Looking ahead this summer, we will be offering two free natural dye workshops for senior learners (ages 55 and up) with instructor Peggy Taylor over the course of two weekends during August and September. Participants will create a palette of dyed yarn and fabrics to create a unique textile of their very own. Please see the calendar of events for more information and to register.
On September 12, we will be welcoming more than 1,200 freshman students from USI to town to participate in the second annual UNIV101 Freshman Experience field trip to New Harmony. We’re excited this is becoming an annual tradition and look forward to sharing our city’s past and importance with the next generation of USI students.
Calendar of Events
- Franken-Flowers and Vase-Ensteins Exhibition
June 24–July 29 at New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art
For more information, please visit: https://www.usi.edu/new-harmony-gallery-of-contemporary-art/programs/bg-projects/past-exhibitions/franken-flowers-vase-ensteins. - Jacinda Russell’s Metaphorical Antipodes: Stories of Ice Exhibition
June 10–August 5 at New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art
For more information, please visit: https://www.usi.edu/new-harmony-gallery-of-contemporary-art/exhibitions/past-exhibitions/archive/2020s/2023/jacinda-russell. - Liminal: Indiana in the Anthropocene Exhibit
June 29–August 20 at the Atheneum
For more information, please visit: https://www.usi.edu/hnh/programs/liminal-indiana-in-the-anthropocene. - Natural Dyes, Colorful Textiles Senior Learner (Ages 55 and up) Workshop (First Session)
Classes will be held from 10:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00-3:00 p.m. (CDT) on August 11, 12, 18 and 19, at Historic New Harmony’s Double Log Cabin (324 North Street, New Harmony, IN 47631).
For more information, please visit: https://www.usi.edu/hnh/programs/natural-dyes-colorful-textiles-workshop. To register, please call Historic New Harmony at 812-682-4488. - Second Saturdays – August
August 12 throughout the day at various locations around town
For more information, please visit: https://www.usi.edu/new-harmony-gallery-of-contemporary-art/programs/new-harmony-second-saturdays. - Liminal: Indiana in the Anthropocene Film Screening
3:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m. (CDT) on August 12 at the Atheneum
For more information, please visit: https://www.usi.edu/hnh/programs/liminal-indiana-in-the-anthropocene. - Natural Dyes, Colorful Textiles Senior Learner (Ages 55 and up) Workshop (Second Session)
Classes will be held from 10:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00-3:00 p.m. (CDT) on September 8, 9, 15, and 16 at Historic New Harmony’s Double Log Cabin (324 North Street, New Harmony, IN 47631). Participants can opt to participate in a public demonstration during New Harmony Kunstfest, which will be held in the Historic Village Area from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). For more information, please visit: https://www.usi.edu/hnh/programs/natural-dyes-colorful-textiles-workshop. To register, please call Historic New Harmony at 812-682-4488. - Mary Laube Exhibition
August 12–September 16 at New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art
For more information, please visit: https://www.usi.edu/new-harmony-gallery-of-contemporary-art/exhibitions/upcoming-exhibitions. - University of Southern Indiana’s UNIV101 Freshman Experience
September 12 throughout the day at various locations around town
For more information, please visit: https://www.usi.edu/hnh/student-and-faculty-engagement-opportunities/univ101-new-harmony-experience. - 2023 Communal Studies Association Conference: Communal Theory, Practice, and Impact
October 5–7 throughout the day at various locations around town
For more information or to register, please visit: https://communalstudies.org/annual-conference/.
Help Historic New Harmony continue its historic preservation efforts, educational programming and more with your charitable gift to the USI Foundation. You can make your gift securely online at USI.edu/giving, calling 812-464-1918, or mailing to USI Foundation, 8600 University Blvd., Evansville, IN 47712. Your charitable gift is tax deductible, and a gift receipt will be issued.
MARCH 2023 Edition
Assistant Director's Update
Now Hiring!
Historic New Harmony (HNH) and the New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art (NHGCA) are now hiring! Click here to apply.
NHGCA Update
River, Red by Ahmed Ozsever
The New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art’s current exhibition, River, Red, features photography by Indiana artist Ahmed Ozsever. River, Red will be on view from March 4 through April 15, 2023. Find out more about the exhibition.
Residence VII: A Showcase of Artists from the New Harmony Clay Project
The New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art will host the group exhibition Residence VII, from April 22 through June 3, 2023. The exhibition features work by Grant Akiyama, Sarah Alsaied, Elizabeth Arzani, Caro Burks, Cameron Ford, and Jackson Shaner. Find out more about the exhibition.
Ichor by Inka Kobylanski
BG Projects at the New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art is proud to present Ichor, a solo show highlighting the work of Inka Kobylanski. The exhibition opens Saturday, March 25 with a reception on Saturday, April 1 from 4:00 – 6:00 pm CST. Click here to learn more.
New Harmony Second Saturdays 2023
The 2023 Second Saturday Season is upon us! Join us in New Harmony every Second Saturday, March through November, for town-wide events. To learn more or add your event, click here.
Historic New Harmony News
Fan Window Sees New Light of Day
The Harmonist Church fan window is now on display in the Atheneum in Gallery II after being stored for several years. The window was originally part of the Door of Promise, which served as the north entrance to the brick Harmonist Church built in 1822. Read more about the window's restoration.
Heritage Artisans Days Returns for 39th Season
Heritage Artisans Days returns to New Harmony this spring on April 12, 13, and 14. For 39 years, Historic New Harmony has had a tradition of inviting thousands of elementary school children to learn what life was like living in New Harmony in the early 1800s. Click here for more information or to volunteer for the event.
"Grace" Us with Your Presence at Historic New Harmony's Annual Hat Luncheon
The “Three Graces” from Sandro Botticelli’s Primavera will be the focus of the keynote presentation by USI Associate Professor of Art History Dr. Shannon Pritchard at this year’s Spring Hat Luncheon. The annual fundraiser will be held on Saturday, April 22, 2023, from 11:00 am to 1:30 pm at the Rapp-Owen Granary in New Harmony. Purchase your tickets today!
FEBRUARY 2023 Edition
Assistant Director's Update
Atheneum Update
The Atheneum reopens on March 1 after a very busy off season. Read more about what occurred during the winter break
NHGCA Update
Our current exhibition, Climb In and Back Out Again, is a raw display of vulnerability exploring femininity, motherhood and way-finding. Melanie Cooper Pennington utilizes materials, methods and symbols to examine gendered issues around power, grief and desire. Learn more about the artist
Advisory Board Spotlight
Dr. Mark Krahling has been at USI for nearly 30 years. While his involvement with the Historic New Harmony Advisory Board just began, his appreciation of this community has been there since the beginning. Learn more about Mark
ISMHS Update
This winter, the Harmonist Labyrinth has been shinning bright at night to guide visitors through its hedges. For decades now, people have walked around the path of this replica Harmonist labyrinth to achieve a thoughtful, ponderous state leading to clarity and discovery. Read more on how the community came together to light the labyrinth
James A. Sanders Spring ’23 Fellowship
As the Spring James A. Sanders fellow, Al Sheets will organize and curate shows in the Back Gallery Projects' space at New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art. The current display in the Back Gallery Projects is Hodge Podge, an exhibition highlighting the diversity of work brought together by members of the USI Art Club Learn more about the exhibition
Interim Assistant Director's Update
NHGCA Update
Christmas in New Harmony
Believe it or not, the holiday season is here. Throughout town, businesses are preparing for one of our biggest weekends of the year: Christmas in New Harmony. Read how Historic New Harmony is participating in the festivities
Three New Harmony Properties Sold
On Thursday, November 3, the University of Southern Indiana Board of Trustees approved the sale of three properties in New Harmony.Learn more about these sales
ISMHS Update
This year, it was my pleasure to prep and plan a spooky program for the New Harmony State Historic Site to host in October. Read more from Jess about the program
Interim Assistant Director's Update
NHGCA Update
Christmas in New Harmony
Believe it or not, the holiday season is here. Throughout town, businesses are preparing for one of our biggest weekends of the year: Christmas in New Harmony. Read how Historic New Harmony is participating in the festivities
Three New Harmony Properties Sold
On Thursday, November 3, the University of Southern Indiana Board of Trustees approved the sale of three properties in New Harmony.Learn more about these sales
ISMHS Update
This year, it was my pleasure to prep and plan a spooky program for the New Harmony State Historic Site to host in October. Read more from Jess about the program
Interim Assistant Director's Update
ISMHS Update
Each year the New Harmony State Historic Site produces an exhibition in Thrall's Opera House on an aspect of The Golden Troupe. Hear from Jess as she shares some of the research she's completed for the next exhibition
Online Ticket Sales
We’ve listened to our visitors and have set up an online system for the purchase of New Harmony tour tickets.Learn how to purchase tour tickets in advance
Interim Assistant Director's Update
A Reflection on Labyrinths
Last month, Dr. Del Doughty began his tenure as Dean of the College of Liberal Arts at USI. His love of labyrinths quickly led him to New Harmony, where he walked the Harmonist Labyrinth. Read his reflection
NHGCA Update
Natural Dyes in Harmonist Times
The Harmonists created, adapted and adopted the new technologies of their day giving them a competitive edge in the growing early American economy, particularly in textile manufacturing—wool, cotton and silk—and agricultural production. Read more from In Harmony guest writer Peggy Taylor as she shares more on the history of natural dyeing
Family Fun Month
Multiple organizations all over the country are promoting their sites and special features for the entire month including the National Endowment for the Arts and Blue Star Families. Learn more about the Blue Star Museum program
Interim Assistant Director's Update
Atheneum Maintenance Update
Work on the Atheneum roof started this week! As work continues, the entire roof, second and third floors will be closed off to the public, including the Clowes Theater and the 1824 town model. Learn more about the work being completed
ISMHS Update
Second Saturday Programming Continues
This year seems to be flying by! We’re now halfway through the year (and our New Harmony Second Saturday programing). As our first year participating in Second Saturday, we’ve worked hard on developing a new and exciting program each month. Learn more about upcoming Second Saturdays
Interim Assistant Director's Update
Excitement is building in the HNH Office regarding our Lilly Religion and Cultural Institution Initiative planning grant. The survey is completed, results are being studied, site visits are being made and the possibilities seem endless. Read more about the planning grant process
The Atheneum
In March, Paul was contacted by a group of students from Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology in Xi'an, China. Their professor wanted them to have a deeper understanding of famous architects and their buildings. Read more about their work with the Atheneum
The Harmonist Brick Church and the “Door of Promise”
As we celebrate the 200th Anniversary of the "Door of Promise," learn more about the history of the Harmonist Brick Church in this month's History Lesson.
NHGCA Update
Over the next few weeks, the gallery side of New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art will be closed for some exciting facilities upgrades. Learn more about these upgrades
Interim Assistant Director's Update
The HNH team has been incredibly busy, and we just didn’t get an April newsletter released. It felt weird not sitting down to write my monthly article, but it’s a new month and we’re ready to get back on track! Read more from Claire
“The Golden Troupe Superb Silver Band and Orchestra” Now Open in Thrall's Opera House
The Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites is once again utilizing the space in Thrall’s Opera House to display a new exhibit on New Harmony’s Golden family. “The Golden Troupe Superb Silver Band and Orchestra” gives visitors an insight into the band that supported one of the most popular theatrical companies of the late 1800s. Learn more about the exhibit
A Note from HNH’s Spring Student Worker
This semester, Hanna Clark, a senior at USI double majoring in political science and world languages and cultures with a focus in Spanish, assisted our team with the Religion and Cultural Institutions Initiative II planning grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. Read more about how she helped
More Perfect Places: A Theatrical Celebration of the Past, Present and Future
More Perfect Places, a play inspired by New Harmony’s utopian history, also invites you to imagine what the future holds for this unique community. Free performances will take place at Thrall’s Opera House June 10-11, 2022. Learn more about More Perfect Places
NHGCA Update
On April 30, New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art opened “Residence VI,” an exhibition featuring ceramics by recent New Harmony Clay Project (NHCP) artists-in-residence. Learn more about the artists included in this exhibition
Interim Assistant Director's Update
While names like George Rapp and Robert Owen dominate our historical record, the women of New Harmony played just as an important role. From Gertrude Rapp and Frances Wright to Mary Emily Fauntleroy and Jane Blaffer Owen, this town wouldn't be what it is today without them and others. As we celebrate Women’s History Month, I wanted to share with you a few of those women who I greatly admire. Learn more about the New Harmony women I admire
Museum Shop Update
Welcome back to another season with Historic New Harmony! As we start this new season, there are some new items in the museum shop that are definitely worth checking out. Read more about what's new
NHGCA Update
Visualizing Spaces opens March 12 (New Harmony’s Second Saturday), featuring work by regional and national artists examining ideas around what utopia is, and for whom. Learn more about the artists included in this exhibition
Adventures through the Archives
As a new manager of the Indiana State Museum’s historic sites in New Harmony, it has been my duty for the last four months to inventory, photograph and catalogue the thousands of artifacts the state museum stores in Community House No. 2. Read more about Jess' favorite artifacts
Interim Assistant Director's Update
We’re often asked if things are slow when the tour season ends and winter arrives. The truth is, not at all! The first few weeks of the year are all about preparation for the next tour season and the year ahead. Things have seemed especially busy this time around, as we have so many exciting things happening at HNH. Read more about what's happening
HNH Welcomes New Student Worker
Devout & Disciplined: Harmonists in New Harmony, 1814-1824 on Exhibit on USI's Campus
Devout & Disciplined: Harmonists in New Harmony, 1814-1824, shares the continuing story of religious separatists seeking refuge in America from the strict formation of the German Lutheran Church. The exhibition includes artifacts from the Working Men's Institute and Historic New Harmony collections. Read more about this exhibition
NHGCA Update
In spite of snow days and COVID outbreaks, Vanessa Viruet’s solo exhibition PAÑUELXS is up and on view through March 5, 2022. Hear more from Iris as she shares what's next
Interim Assistant Director's Update
When this year started, there were still a lot of unknowns as to what we’d be able to accomplish, but after weathering the storm of 2020, the Historic New Harmony team felt prepared to take on whatever came our way. We were ambitious as we began planning our 2021 season, and I’m happy to report that very little of what we planned did not come to fruition. Read more about we accomplished this year
A Look Ahead
Christmas Traditions
The way we celebrate Christmas had changed dramatically throughout the years.Read more about how New Harmony residents have celebrated in the past
NHGCA Update
The new year will start with a short break at the Gallery with PAÑUELXS opening January 22. Learn more about this upcoming exhibition
Robert Owen 250th Creative Writing Contest
Our Robert Owen 250th Celebration is coming to an end, which means our second and first place winners are now published! Read all the winning pieces
Interim Assistant Director's Update
NHGCA Update
The NHGCA continues its partnership with the New Harmony Clay Project with Filled Up 2: A Ceramic Cup Show. Learn more about the latest exhibition
New Harmony State Historic Site Welcomes Site Coordinator
On October 25th, Jess began her tenure at the New Harmony State Historic Site. Learn more about Jess
Robert Owen 250th Creative Writing Contest
Our third place winner is all the way from England! Read Barry Carter's poem here
Museum Shop Update
Written and illustrated by the talented Marsha Bailey and produced by the Kiwanis Club of New Harmony, this coloring book is full of important New Harmony scenes. Read more about this new coloring book
Christmas in New Harmony
Every December New Harmony celebrates Christmas in a big way! The first weekend of December hosts Christmas in New Harmony, a spirit filled weekend sure to get you in ready for the holiday. The town will be decorated in the Christmas spirit along with a tree lighting, a performance of the Nutcracker, Artisan Vendors throughout the town and even visits from a certain someone to see if you have been naughty or nice! Learn more about how we are participating in Christmas in New Harmony
Interim Assistant Director's Update
While the tour season seems to be winding down, everything else seems to be getting busier! This past month (really the last year), a lot of our focus has been on Water/Ways, a Smithsonian Museum on Main Street traveling exhibit made possible in Indiana by Indiana Humanities. This exhibition, which dives into water—an essential component of life on our planet, environmentally, culturally and historically, is only traveling to six locations in Indiana. New Harmony’s connection to the Wabash River is an important one, and this has given us a great chance to explore those connections while cultivating new partnerships. Learn more about these partnerships
Pioneer Hearth Cooking Demonstration
Cooking in the age of pioneers was a lot different than it is today! Join Historic New Harmony Interpreter Becky Smyth as she demonstrates pioneer hearth cooking in the Double Log Cabin
Museum Shop Update
New Harmony, Indiana: Like a River, Not a Lake has flowed its way back onto our shelves after a short hiatus. Written by Jane Blaffer Owen and edited by one of our own talented tour guides Nancy Mangum McCaslin, it also includes Forewords from John Philip Newell and J. Pittman McGehee and Afterwords from Anne Dale Owen and Jane Dale Owen. Learn more about this book
Robert Owen 250th Creative Writing Contest
Charlie Gaston's essay "Robert Owen: Protector of Workers" was chosen as an Honorable Mention in our Robert Owen 250th Creative Writing Contest. As a New Harmony resident, his personal history and connection to our town make for an intriguing read. Read it here
Systems | Bodies | Parameters now open at the NHGCA
The exhibition, which runs through November 13 features 12 lush abstract paintings with surfaces that have to be seen in person. Learn more about the artist