New Harmony, Indiana, much like the Icarians in St. Louis and Nauvoo, was part of the wave of idealistic communities founded in the United States in the Nineteenth Century. Founded by George Rapp in 1814, the settlement was developed by Lutherans from Wurttemberg in what is now Germany. They didn’t last long and moved to Pennsylvania in 1824. Next came Robert Owen, who took over the town and started the next period of idealistic living. The Owenite period failed, as well.

The town experienced a renaissance with the return of a descendant of Owen, Jane Owen, who utilized her double inheritance of oil money to revitalize the community. The Athenaeum, designed by famed architect Richard Meier (most of buildings all have white exteriors so they are easy to identify) is the visitors’ center for the community.

Below is the cemetery, which was originally chosen as the land already possessed Native American burial mounds, making the area logical for European American inhumation.

Near the visitors’ center are many buildings that date back to the time of the Rappite and Owenite periods of settlement.

Houses were simple, as this three bay wide house illustrates, with minimal ornamentation in keeping with the communal and religious beliefs of the builders.

Besides wood frame houses, there are also brick homes, as well.

This hulking structure below, while labeled as a “fort” in the Historic American Buildings Survey, was actually the granary for the town.

This building below was a dormitory for unwed members. When the man or woman married, they moved out into a regular house.

It’s a little hard to convey, but Jane Owen breathed new life into the communal and artistic nature of the community, so now there are all sorts of artists and other creative types living in New Harmony, as well as works of sculpture purchased by the wealthy benefactor, such as the one below.

The work above is entitled “Shalev.”

Here are some more houses from the historic district.

The town is really a special place and is an easy drive from St. Louis worth visiting for the peace and quiet and creativity.