New Harmony

New Harmony

The Home of Two Early American Utopian Communities

THE INNOVATIVE APPROACH BEHIND THE UTOPIAN COMMUNITIES

New Harmony is the site of not just one, but two early American utopian communities. The Harmony Society, led by George Rapp, arrived in the United States in 1804 and settled in Pennsylvania before purchasing 20,000 acres on the Wabash River and moving to Indiana in 1814. The Harmonists were religious Separatists from Germany who pursued Christian perfection through every aspect of their daily conduct. They sold New Harmony to Robert Owen in 1825, and he, along with his business partner William Maclure, hoped to establish a model community where education and social equality would flourish. Visit New Harmony State Historic Site to tour the many historic buildings, and even get a look at the innovative approach behind the Harmonists’ original construction techniques.

Children Under 3 Admission: Free
Youth (Ages 3 - 17) Admission: $8
Adults (Ages 18 - 59) Admission: $12
Seniors (Ages 60+) Admission: $10
Members Admission: Free

PURCHASE TICKETS

Historic Properties Tours are 90 minutes and offered at 11 a.m., 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. CST Wednesday through Sunday.

Walk up tour tickets are subject to availability. Purchasing online or by calling the site is recommended to ensure tour registration especially when visiting on a free day or when schools are in session.

Photography, videography or use of paranormal equipment of any kind is not permitted on tours.

Historic Properties Tour Tickets

 

Self-guided tours of Community House No. 2 are available from 10 a.m. to 4:40 p.m. CST Wednesday through Sunday.

Tickets can be purchased at the time of your visit.

Operating Hours

Wednesday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Thursday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Friday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Saturday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Sunday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Monday: Closed

Tuesday: Closed

Holidays

Easter – Closed

Memorial Day – Open for preregistered tours only

July 4th – Open

Labor Day – Open for preregistered tours only

Thanksgiving – Closed

Christmas Eve – Closed

Christmas Day – Closed

New Year’s Eve – Closed

New Year’s Day – Limited hours with preregistered tours only

Free Days

Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Jan. 20)

Presidents Day (Feb. 17)

Juneteenth Celebration (date tbd)

Programs & Events

STEP BACK IN TIME WITH US

reverend george rapp

A New Type of Community

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.

A New Direction

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.

Illustration of New Harmony
New Harmony Historic Marker

A Community Ends

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.

Continuing a Legacy through preservation

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.

Miss Mary Emily Fauntleroy playing the harp
Thrall's Opera House

A Look Around New Harmony

Spend an afternoon—or an entire weekend—exploring this visionary community, featuring restored 19th-century theaters, print houses and more.

Thrall's Opera House

Explore a restored Opera House

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!

Wander through 20,000 ACRES OF PERFECTION

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.

New Harmony Grounds
Labyrinth at New Harmony

Experience a Dizzying Amount of Fun

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.

Discover that Print's not dead!

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.

Slater Print Shop

BOOK A FIELD TRIP

Help bring history, science, art and education to life for your students with a one-of-a-kind field trip experience. 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. All state historic sites support Indiana Academic Standards, and feature a variety of academic topics. Call 812.682.3702 to schedule your visit to New Harmony.

Learn more
Ceiling Detail at New Harmony

An Ideal Weekend Getaway

New Harmony is the ideal location for weddings, conferences, festivals, concerts, retreats and theatrical performances. One stroll through town, and it’s not hard to see why. Situated in picturesque southwest Indiana, the town has lovingly preserved its historic charm, while providing all the latest dining and shopping experiences a weekend getaway demands. What are you waiting for? New Harmony awaits.

A membership means more to discover, year-round

Whether it’s diving deeper into the historical documents in the Slater Print Shop, or spending the afternoon exploring the labyrinth and other outdoor experiences, our members find something new in New Harmony every visit.

Explore our Membership Options
Group Walking into Thrall Opera House

Plan Your Trip

  • Admission

    Historic Properties Tours are 90 minutes and are available at 11 a.m., 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. CST Wednesday through Sunday.

    Walk up tour tickets are subject to availability. Purchasing online or by calling the site is recommended to ensure tour registration especially when visiting on a free day or when schools are in session.

    Photography, videography or use of paranormal equipment of any kind is not permitted on tours.

    See Historic Properties Tour Map

    Historic Properties Tour Tickets

     

    Self-guided tours of Community House No. 2 are available from 10 a.m. to 4:40 p.m. CST Wednesday through Sunday.

    Tickets can be purchased at the time of your visit.

  • Contact

  • Group Rate

    Discounted tickets are available for groups of 10 visitors or more. To receive group rates, please call the site in advance and purchase all tickets with one payment. Find prices below.

    Adults – $11
    Seniors* – $9
    Youth* – $7
    Children under 3 – FREE
    *Seniors: Ages 60 and older, Youth: Ages 3 through 17

    For group transportation to a state historic site, contact our partners at CharterUP.

  • Discounts

    Special discounts are available for educators and education groups, military, Access Pass holders and more. View all discounts >>

  • Tours

    Historic Properties Tours

    Tour the historic properties of two Utopian communities – the Harmonists and the Owenites – and discover the renaissance of science, spirituality and the arts in this small Hoosier town.

    Ninety-minute tours begin at Community House No. 2 (410 Main St.) and include stops at:

    • Community House No. 2, 410 Main St.
    • Thrall’s Opera House, 612 Church St.
    • Fauntleroy House, 411 West St.
    • Harmonist Cemetery, behind 411 West St.
    • Rapp-Owen Granary, 413 Granary St. Thanks to the Rapp Granary-Owen Foundation for adding this stop to the tour.
    • Scholle House, 604 Tavern St. (during special exhibits)
    • The Harmonist Labyrinth, 1239 Main St. (can be explored on your own)

    See Historic Properties Tour Map

  • School Groups

    Field trip admission is free for pre-scheduled, accredited schools and homeschool groups of 10 or more Indiana K-12 students. Members of the Indiana Association of Homeschool Educators receive free daily admission with proof of membership. Call 812.682.3702 to schedule your visit.

    Academic topics covered include history, art and science.

    Learn more
  • Girl Scouts

    New Harmony State Historic Site has numerous opportunities for Girl Scouts throughout the year. We also offer a free, printable Badge Explorer Guide!

    Learn more
  • Commercial Photography And Videography

    If you are a photographer looking to book a shoot at New Harmony State Historic Site, please review our commercial photography policy and application process. Learn more >>

410 Main Street, New Harmony, IN 47631, USA

Visit Today!

Tour the historic properties of two Utopian communities – the Harmonists and the Owenites – and discover the renaissance of science, spirituality, and the arts in this small Hoosier town. Both tours begin at Community House No. 2 (410 Main St.).