New Harmony collection

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: MSP 145

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The New Harmony collection contains materials from and information related to the New Harmony community in Southern Indiana and the family of Robert Owen, one of its leaders. The collection includes correspondence, newspapers, illustrations, maps, pamphlets, and historical research about New Harmony.

Dates

1820-1980s

Creator

Owen, Richard, 1810-1890 (Person)

Language of Materials

Collection materials are in English.

Access Information

The collection is open for research.

Copyright and Use Information

Portions of material in this collection are in the public domain. Other material copyrights held by Purdue University or original creator. Consult with Purdue University Archives and Special Collections prior to reproduction of materials.

Historical Information

The area of New Harmony, Indiana, was initially settled as Harmony in 1814 by the Rappites, a German Lutheran group led by George Rapp. Rapp sold the land in 1825 to British industrialist Robert Owen, who established New Harmony as an experimental free thinking utopian community that would create "universal happiness through universal education." Owen recruited prominent thinkers, scientists, and educators to join the community. The Owenite community experiment ended after two years, but the Owen family - including Robert Owen's sons Robert Dale Owen, Richard Owen, and David Dale Owen - continued to live and work in the area. Contributions of the short-lived New Harmony experiment include the first kindergarten in America, first free public school, and first public school offering equal education to boys and girls. Historic New Harmony maintains the buildings and history of the original settlements.

Richard Owen, son of New Harmony founder Robert Owen, was the first President of Purdue University.

Source: materials in the collection