This past weekend Dr. Kleber impressed me once again with a vibrant and informative lesson in civic and cultural history. New Harmony, Indiana, located off I-64 nestled close to the Wabash river and Illinois border, proved to be just the Utopian get-a-way I and my fellow scholars needed before the finals rush.
Although historically one town, New Harmony has experienced two diametrically opposed eras. Officially founded in 1814 by the Harmonists of Pennsylvania (led my Johann Georg Rapp), Harmonie, as it was then called, served as the second of three in the overzealous Georg Rapp's religiously based Utopian societies. "Pray and work!", the Benedictine rule seemingly ingrained in the Harmonist philosophy led to unprecedented economic success, rivaling the living standards reached by the most industrialized cities at the time. As ten years expired, the Harmonists, driven by the expectation of Jesus' Second Coming, settled once more in Pennsylvania, leaving Harmonie well-stocked, but unoccupied; ready for the next Utopian experiment.
Purchased by the 1920's version of a venture capitalist, Harmonie became New Harmony. Robert Owen, the purchaser, believed in a perfect society through free education and social and financial equality. During his era New Harmony became the premier geological and biological base of operations in the Midwest. The scientific awakening in New Harmony led to monumental discoveries that built a foundation on which scientist today work from. Although the Utopian idea failed after only two years due to poor living conditions (scientists don't farm after all), the more open and settled New Harmony maintained the rich scientific heritage and the devoted religious work ethic that both societies contributed early-on in its history.
What was special to me was the current residents of New Harmony. Their attachment to the town and its history was inspirational. They have turned a early settlement into a town that is reverent, yet alive. The preservationists of New Harmony worked diligently to create a hybrid combination of quaint and modern. One can, as I did, stroll along Main and Church streets exploring the most saturated collection of antique stores in any small town I've visited (they can't seem to support a grocery store, ironically). You can take in the sights and the (lack of) sounds that make such a refreshing imprint on your soul, all-the-while participating in New Harmony's lively social sphere and fine art culture.
As I spent my hours biking around the former social experiment turned active community, I couldn't help pondering the characters of the Harmonists. Settling uncleared land, relying on no one but themselves, and teaming together towards one goal, they not only survived in the face of desolate starvation, they thrived. The brave and courageous people, not much different than us, dared to try something new and, arguably, succeeded. That sort of Bravery manifests itself more sparingly than it did back then: through our military, our patriotism, our idealism, our faith, or our adventurous spirit. We must continue to encourage those personality traits. This country was created by people like those who founded New Harmony; I strive to carry on the tradition.