New Harmony Historic District facts for kids
|
New Harmony Historic District
|
|
Harmony Society buildings in New Harmony Historic District, Indiana
|
|
 Location in Indiana
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Main St. between Granary and Church Sts., New Harmony, Indiana |
|---|---|
| Built | 1815 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Gothic |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000006 (original) 00000669 (increase) |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
|
| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Boundary increase | May 3, 2000 |
| Designated NHLD | July 23, 1965 |
The New Harmony Historic District is a special area in New Harmony, Indiana. It's recognized as a National Historic Landmark District. This means it's a very important place in American history. It was first named a landmark in 1965. Then, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1966. Its protected area was made bigger in 2000.
This district includes many old buildings. Some were built in the early 1800s. Others are from the mid-1800s. The area first covered Main Street. Later, it grew to include more streets. The district is important for its unique architecture. It also shows how people tried to create "utopian communities." These were places where everyone lived and worked together.
The district's history covers two main periods. First, the Harmonist era (1814-1824). Second, the Owen/Maclure era (1825-1867). Many people helped shape these communities. They include the Harmony Society, George Rapp, Robert Owen, and others.
Contents
What Makes New Harmony Special?
How New Harmony's History Was Saved
The state of Indiana started protecting New Harmony's history in 1937. They created a special group called the New Harmony Memorial Commission. This group helped fix up old buildings. The area became known as the New Harmony State Historic Site.
In 1965, experts studied New Harmony. They decided it was very important for the whole country. So, the U.S. government named it a National Historic Landmark district. This helped make sure its history would be saved.
More efforts to protect the town happened later. In 1973, a second commission was formed. A group called Historic New Harmony, Inc. also helped. They bought and restored more historic places. In 1977, many of these places were added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Working Together to Preserve History
In 1985, the University of Southern Indiana joined in. They partnered with Historic New Harmony. Their goal was to keep the old buildings safe. They also wanted to offer educational programs.
By 1991, these groups worked even closer. They created a "unified program." This program helps manage the historic sites. Today, the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites looks after several important places. These include Community House Number 2 and Thrall's Opera House.
The district also has modern landmarks. One is the Roofless Church. It was designed by Philip Johnson. Another is New Harmony's Atheneum. This building, designed by Richard Meier, is the visitor center. It helps people start their tours of the historic district.
Exploring New Harmony's Buildings and Sites
Many buildings in the district were built by the Harmony Society. They built 25 buildings and 8 sites between 1814 and 1824. Some homes are so important they are listed separately. These include the Amon Clarence Thomas House and the Mattias Scholle House.
The district also shows how the early Harmonists lived. You can see reconstructed log cabins and old barns. There are also sites of their early churches.
The Harmonist Cemetery
The Harmonist Cemetery is a unique place. It has no gravestones inside its walls. This was part of the Harmonist belief in equality. Everyone was treated the same, even in death. The cemetery also has ancient Native American mounds. These mounds are over two thousand years old.
Community Buildings and Unique Structures
The Harmonists built several community buildings.
- Community House Number 2: This was a three-story brick building. It was a dormitory for single Harmonist members. Later, the Owen community used it for schools and other activities.
- Thrall's Opera House/Community House Number 4: Built in 1824, this was also a Harmonist dormitory. The Owen community used it for homes and public events. It became a theater in 1859. Later, it was a movie house and even a gas station. Today, it's restored as a Victorian-era theater.
- Harmonist Labyrinth: This maze was rebuilt in 1939. It's near its original spot. It was a place for quiet thought and walking.
- Rapp-Owen Granary: This large, five-story building was finished in 1818. It was used to store grain. Later, it became a laboratory for David Dale Owen. He was Indiana's first state geologist. After being used as a mill, it was restored. Now, it's a museum and event space.
Homes of the Harmonists and Owenites
The Harmonists built many timber-frame and brick homes.
- David Lenz House: Built around 1822, this is a typical two-story Harmonist home.
- Mattias Scholle House: This brick home was built in 1822 for the town's shoemaker.
- Ludwig Epple House: This two-story frame home was also built in 1822.
- George Bentel House: Another two-story brick home from around 1822.
- Fauntleroy House: This Harmonist home was built in 1822. It was later changed in 1840. A women's literary club, the Minerva Society, started here in 1859.
Buildings from the Owen period (1825-1867) show different styles.
- John Beal House: Built around 1829, it shows Federal and Greek Revival styles.
- Owen House (1830 House): Robert Owen's sons built this two-story brick home.
- David Dale Owen Laboratory: This two-story brick building from 1849 shows the Gothic Revival style.
Later Important Buildings
Some buildings are important even if they were built later. They relate to the Workingmen's Institute. This group was started by William Maclure in 1838.
- Workingmen's Institute: This three-story brick building was built in 1894. It has a Romanesque Revival style.
- Murphy Auditorium: Built in 1913, this is a three-story brick auditorium. It has a Neoclassical style.
These buildings, along with many others, help tell the rich story of New Harmony. They show how people tried to build ideal communities in the past.
Images for kids
-
Rawlings Cottage built in 1815, part of the New Harmony Historic District.
-
The New Harmony Banking Company, built in 1882.
