WELCOME to NEW HARMONY

The Harmonists believed that Christ’s second coming was imminent. They pursued Christian perfection through every aspect of their daily conduct and created a highly ordered and productive community. Between 1814 and 1824, the Harmonists constructed more than 180 log, frame and brick structures. The community was entirely self-sufficient and produced a wide variety of goods that were traded as far away as New Orleans, Pittsburgh and even overseas.

In 1824, George Rapp decided to sell New Harmony. He found a buyer in Robert Owen, a wealthy industrialist from Scotland. In 1825, Owen purchased New Harmony outright, hoping to establish a model community where education and social equality would flourish. Owen’s business partner William Maclure, a well-respected geologist, attracted many important scholars to New Harmony, including naturalists, geologists, educators and early feminists.

Miss Mary Emily Fauntleroy, daughter to one of the founding members of the Minerva Society, was an early preservationist in New Harmony. Although her methods were unorthodox, she turned the Fauntleroy Home into the first tour site in New Harmony where she entertained the public by recounting the history and events that had taken place in the house. Miss Mary Emily would play the harp in the parlor of the home.

By 1827, Owen’s community had dissolved. Nevertheless, his Utopian dream brought significant contributions to American scientific and educational theory, study and practice. Early feminist activity increased national awareness of the women’s suffrage issue.