Historic New Harmony

Historic New Harmony is both a place and a program

As a National Historic Landmark on the banks of the Wabash River, New Harmony preserves the sites where three distinct communities—the Harmonists, the Owenites, and the generations that followed—shaped one of America's most remarkable towns. As a University of Southern Indiana program, we care for collections that document this extraordinary history from 1814 to the present, develop educational programs and public events, engage with the local community, and make these resources accessible to researchers and visitors from around the world.

Whether you're planning a visit to walk our historic streets, joining us for a program or event, seeking access to our archives as a researcher, or looking for resources to bring this story into your classroom, Historic New Harmony connects past and present. Our collections document the Harmony Society's religious vision, Robert Owen and William Maclure's radical social experiments, and the evolving life of this town across two centuries, including the history of preservation and public history work that has made New Harmony a living laboratory for understanding intentional communities.

Find What You're Looking For

Planning a Visit?

Explore our historic sites, join a guided tour and discover New Harmony.

Living in New Harmony?

Connect with community programs, upcoming events and partnership opportunities.

USI Community

Learn about internships, research collaborations and access to our collections and archives.

Discover

The Story

Three distinct communities made New Harmony a testing ground for bold ideas about faith, education, equality and reform. Discover how their visions and their struggles shaped American culture and continue to raise questions today. Explore the sites where utopian dreams meet everyday reality.

Programs & Events

Join us for guided tours, educational programs, lectures and community events that bring New Harmony's history to life. Whether you're exploring our historic sites, attending a special program, or participating in one of our community initiatives, there are many ways to engage with this remarkable place.

Collections & Research

Our archives preserve materials documenting New Harmony's communities from 1814 to the present. Explore our digitization project, request research access or discover how these collections support scholarship on utopian communities, early American education and the history of social reform.

Visit Us

Historic New Harmony's sites are located in a compact, walkable National Historic Landmark district on the banks of the Wabash River. Join us for guided tours through the buildings where utopian communities lived and worked or explore at your own pace with a self-guided walking tour. All tours start at the Atheneum Visitors Center located at 401 North Arthur Street in New Harmony, Indiana.

Our office is located in the historic Schnee-Ribeyre-Elliott House at 603 West Street.

Hours

The Atheneum Visitors Center is open Tuesday through Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sunday, 12:00-5:00 p.m. We are currently closed for the winter season and will reopen on March 10, 2026.

Our office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Contact

Contact us at harmony@usi.edu or 812-682-4488.

News

Register for Heritage Artisans Days (April 23-24)

Step into the past and experience history come to life at Heritage Artisans Days! Join us for a day of discovery, creativity and fun as we celebrate the people and practices that shaped our region’s past. Spaces fill quickly, so we encourage teachers, families and groups to register early.

Register Here

USI Historic New Harmony Heritage Artisans Days happening April 23-24

The University of Southern Indiana is excited to announce Historic New Harmony’s annual Heritage Artisans Days, taking place Thursday and Friday, April 23-24. The event will showcase skilled artisans bringing 19th century trades and professions to life, offering attendees an immersive glimpse into how craftspeople once lived and worked in early New Harmony. Students from across the Tri-state region will have the chance to engage directly with the artisans learning what day-to-day life was like during the era.

USI receives $2.5 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to support efforts at Historic New Harmony

The University of Southern Indiana has received a $2.5 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to help the Historic New Harmony program establish the Historic New Harmony Religious Liberty Initiative, a comprehensive project aimed at exploring and celebrating the role of freedom of belief, both religious and secular, in shaping visionary communities and inspiring new ways of living.