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Explore buildings constructed by two early utopian communities – the Harmonists and the Owenites – and discover how New Harmony became a haven for naturalists, geologists, educators and early feminists. Plus, discover how New Harmony’s early history led to a thriving arts community today.
Call 812.682.3702 to schedule your field trip to New Harmony State Historic Site.
Free Admission
Free for preregistered Indiana schools of 10+ K-12 students, teachers, bus drivers and one additional adult per five students. Additional chaperones pay the group admission rate of $12/person.
Free Admission
Free for preregistered groups of 10+ students, including one free adult per five students. Additional adults pay the group rate.
Pre-Registration
All field trips must be booked at least two weeks in advance. This ensures a personalized, engaging experience for your students.
Group Size
A minimum of 10 students is required for field trips.
Lunch
Picnic areas are available, and there are nearby restaurants for students and chaperones.
Contact
Call 812.682.3702 or email [email protected] to schedule your field trip to New Harmony.
Take a look at our collected educator resources from across the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites.
Whether it’s at the site or outreach, we offer hands-on, exploratory and interactive programs on a variety of topics that provide your students a fun way to learn about Indiana’s people, places and things. All programs fulfill select Indiana Academic Standards for multiple grade levels. At site and outreach programs cost $5/student with a maximum number of 25 students. Travel fees are 30-60 miles: $20; 60-90 miles: $40; 90+ miles: $60. Program length is 45-60 minutes. See programs below:
The New Harmony State Historic Site conducts guided school group tours starting at Community House No. 2. Tours include Community House No. 2 exhibits, a stop in our historic print shop, as well as numerous historic structures and a self-guided walk through the Harmonist Labyrinth.
Please contact New Harmony State Historic Site at 812.682.3702 or [email protected] for more information on field trips, personalized educational programming, or for help planning your group’s visit.
Indiana Academic Standards: KH1, 1H1, 1H3, 1H8, 2H1, 2H2, 2H3, 2H4, 3H1, 3H2, 3H3, 3H6, 3H7, 3H8, 4H1, 4H2, 4H4, 4H7, 4H14, 5H1, 5H2, 5H3, 5H4, 5H6, 6H10, 6H11, 6H12, 6H14, 6H15, 8H11, 8H12, 8H19, 8H20, 8H21, 8H22, USH1.2, USH2.1, USH2.4, USH10.1, USH10.2, USH10.3, USH10.4, USH10.5, IS1.5
Students will explore everyday life in the 1820s when New Harmony was an educational laboratory. Activities include educational challenges, games, chores and other everyday routines for a child who lived in the Owenite community. Themes include differences and similarities in lifestyles today versus back then, jobs in the community back then, and what students learned in school to prepare for their future professions.
Available: At site
Indiana Academic Standards: Social Studies: K.1.1, K.1.3, K.3.6, 1.1.1, 1.1.3, 1.1.5, 1.1.6, 2.1.1, 2.1.2, 2.1.3, 3.1.3, 3.1.4, 3.1.8, 4.1.6, 4.2.2, 6.1.13, 6.1.14, 6.1.24
Much of what we know about the group who first settled New Harmony comes from the remnants they left behind—especially their pottery. Learn how archaeologists restore the artifacts they discover by reconstructing your own Harmonist-inspired pottery pieces.
Available: At site and outreach
Indiana Academic Standards: 3.1.2, 3.1.3, 3.1.4, 3.1.6, 4.1.6, 5.1.22
Pack your wagons. It’s time to take a trip! Students will learn what it took to travel in the early 1800s. After a presentation from staff, students will have a chance to pack their wagons with what they think they’ll need. What supplies would they need to bring? What would be left behind? How would they survive?
Available: At site and outreach
Indiana Academic Standards: Social Studies: 3.1.2, 3.1.3. 3.1.4, 3.4.3, 4.1.4, 4.3.9, 4.4.1, 4.4.3, 5.3.11, 5.3.13
Thrall’s Opera House has served a variety of purposes throughout its lifetime, starting as a dormitory in 1824 and eventually becoming a warehouse, multi-family dwelling, a dance hall and more. The structure was transformed into an opera house in 1888, serving as home to the Golden Troupe—which included “singing comedienne” Frances Golden, who entertained troops during WWI. Explore the restored theater and learn all about the Golden Troupe for yourself during a visit!
Robert Owen purchased the town of Harmony, which later became known as New Harmony, in 1825. Owen purchased the 20,000 acres from George Rapp with plans to establish a model community where education and social equality would flourish, but Owen’s “Community of Equality” dissolved by 1827. Still, Owen’s Utopian dream brought many contributions to American scientific and educational theory, study and practice that continue to affect Indiana even today.
Planted in concentric circles of manicured privet hedge, this reconstructed Harmonist labyrinth evokes the serenity and peacefulness the Utopians were seeking. Large shade trees bordering one end of the lot provide a perfect canopy for garden parties and weddings, with the labyrinth gracing the background.
The New Harmony Advertiser (1858-1861) and The New Harmony Register (1867-1932) were both printed on equipment that’s still on display on the third floor of Community House No. 2. Father and son, Charles and Harry “Nick” Slater ran the Slater Print Shop using a six column, two page Washington Press. It is said to be assembled from two smaller presses used to print the Western Atlas and the Gleaner for many years before the Slaters used it.
We look forward to welcoming your students to the New Harmony State Historic Site, where art, nature, science and history come alive. Call us at 812.682.3702 to book your trip or send us an email at the link below.
