Between 1814 and 1824 New Harmony, in southwestern Indiana, was the scene of a social experiment. Here a deeply religious German named George Rapp and his followers, among whom absolute equality prevailed, settled down to cultivate the land in the expectation that the Last Judgment was near. When this failed to materialize the community returned to Pennsylvania, from which they had come. Their village can be seen on a signposted tour.
The Atheneum was designed by architect Richard Meier and has received several awards including the Progressive Architecture Award for 1979 and the American Institute of Architects Award in 1982. It serves as the visitor orientation center for New Harmony and the region and also houses historical exhibits and the theater where an orientation film on the town is shown.
The New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art is located in New Harmony. The gallery, established in 1975, features cutting edge exhibits of contemporary art by local, national, and international artists eight times a year. The gallery also operates an outreach educational program targeted at school children.
Address: New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art, 506 Main Street, New Harmony, IN 47631, United States
Phone: 1 (812) 682-3156, Fax: 1 (812) 682-3870
Hours:
January 1 to March 31: 10am-5pm; Closed: Sun, Mon
April 1 to December 31: 10am-5pm; Sun:12pm-4pm; Closed: Sun, Mon, Mon
Designed by Philip Cortelyou Johnson, the Roofless Church was built by Mrs. Owen, descendant of Robert Owen who purchased the town of Harmonie from George Rapp in 1824. The 50-foot dome closely resembles Ibscacan architecture. Inside the dome is a bronze statue created by Jacques Lipchitz, named "The Descent of The Holy Spirit."
Workingmen's Institute was established in 1838 and contains artifacts from the two Utopian communities that were part of New Harmony's past. The museum has natural history exhibits, an art gallery, and public library are also located within the Institute.
Hours:
10am-4:30pm; Sun:12pm-4pm; Closed: Mon
Tips: Library open Tuesday and Wednesday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
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