Advisory Board Spotlight

Historic New Harmony鈥檚 mission is to preserve and promote its utopian legacy and inspire renewal and fellowship between people and communities through our programs and collections. Historic New Harmony鈥檚 Advisory Board is crucial to the fulfillment of this mission. Our board members show their support daily by promoting education, scientific, and charitable activities and programs by contributing both their time and money. As we continue this new digital newsletter adventure, we thought there was no better way to show our听gratitude听than to spotlight those that serve.

FEBRUARY 2023

Claire Eagle, Community Engagement Manager

Dr. Mark Krahling has been at 91社区 for nearly 30 years. While his involvement with the Historic New Harmony Advisory Board just began, his appreciation of this community has been there since the beginning. Not only has he enjoyed numerous trips with 91社区 faculty, staff and students, he and his wife, Allison, were married at St. Stephens in 2014.

So why does he love New Harmony? 鈥淣ew Harmony exemplifies what a small town can provide,鈥� Mark shared. He cites the Rapp-Owen Granary as a perfect example of this. The renovation that was completed in 1999 is 鈥渢ypical for New Harmony though contrary to much of what happens in America鈥檚 small towns.鈥� HNH can continue this legacy through our discussions of sustainability, which Mark cites as the major topic he would like HNH to tackle. While the town has excelled in continued use and restoration of our historic landscape, he believes further discussions often falter. 鈥淚 think patience will help us find a path that works.鈥�

During his tenure, Mark has spent many workdays in New Harmony as a part of a university workday, most recently as a UNIV 101 Instructor during our New Harmony Freshman Experience last fall. These visits would often include an aspect of New Harmony history, whether it was a visit to one of HNH鈥檚 historic properties or a presentation that highlighted 鈥渁 significant Historic New Harmony event.鈥� When asked how HNH could further serve as a living, learning laboratory for 91社区 faculty, staff and students, Mark noted how heartwarming it is to see their 鈥渄iscovery of an art loving community with shops, galleries and restaurants so close鈥� to campus. The discovery is what leads to further fascination, and finally to the connection of New Harmony as a living, learning laboratory.

As a part of these spotlights, Advisory Board members are always asked to share a favorite memory of New Harmony. Mark shared seven. They included everything from his wedding and summer cycling trips with his wife to memories of his daughters playing in the Patrick Dougherty woven tree sculptures that were installed in Maclure Square in 2003. It鈥檚 clear that Mark has a fondness for New Harmony, which has led to a lifelong connection. Now as a member of the Historic New Harmony Advisory Board, he can help inspire other community members and visitors to make that connection as well.

For Linda Warrum, New Harmony is home. She first became a resident of Posey County in 1976, moving to New Harmony in 1999 when she also became a tour guide for Historic New Harmony. After 20 years, Linda retired from Historic New Harmony last year. As a tour guide, she enjoyed working in a multimillion dollar building and being able to meet people from all over the world. 鈥淚 loved it,鈥� she shared, 鈥渆xcept for rain and snow.鈥�

In addition to her tour guide duties, Linda often volunteered at the Working Men鈥檚 Institute, exploring the archives and finding items that expanded her historical knowledge and made her tours even better. One of those finds was an 1843 English edition of听Travels of the Interiors of North America听by Prince Maximillian of Weid-Neuwied, a statelet in northeastern Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. The HNH team refer any questions about Prince Maximillian and our Bodmer collection to Linda. The amount of research she has done on the German prince is extensive. This research includes visiting the Palace of Neuwied, where she had a chance to meet the eighth Prince of Wied and spend a few hours in the palace archives, making her as close to an expert as we have in New Harmony. In her research, she had seen the French and German editions of听Travels听many times but had been searching for an English version for quite some time. 鈥淗ere it was right in New Harmony and we didn鈥檛 know it,鈥� Warrum says.

While she is no longer an employee of HNH, Linda stays involved as a member of our Advisory Board, offering her expertise and ideas to ensure that we continue to fulfill our mission. When asked if there was a project or idea that she wanted us to tackle, she answered quickly with 鈥淢inerva.鈥� The Minerva Society, founded in New Harmony in 1859, was one of the first women's clubs in the United States with a written constitution and by-laws. The society organized itself so that every woman had a chance to gain valuable experience in each office. Members used their weekly meetings to debate current events and ideas. Linda wants us to work to recreate the society and honor those women. 鈥淚 would like to see debating book reviews, a club doing that again,鈥� she says. 鈥淓specially since we just went through the women鈥檚 suffrage year.鈥�

Although we miss Linda as a member of our tour guide team, we鈥檙e thankful she is a part of the Historic New Harmony Advisory Board. Her dedication and knowledge, especially when it comes to Prince Max and Bodmer, are invaluable as we work to fulfill our mission.

Reflections on听New Harmony听听
Katie Waters, Chair of Historic New Harmony Advisory Board

Turning听off Indiana 69 and onto Church Street听in听New Harmony, which I have done hundreds of times since I moved to Indiana in the fall of 1981, I听always听experience a distinct听and soothing听sense of peace and tranquility. Each听time听and in听every听season,听the town鈥檚 beauty and听utopian听history听charm and听entice.听Some of my听most memorable life experiences have occurred in this magical, mystical and听mysterious听place.听

My first Indiana exhibit was at the New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art, still a premier place to experience art that challenges and delights. During one sabbatical, I spent a month living in the Community House and painting in situ. Friends and I celebrated the millennium in New Harmony, ringing in the year 2000 with champagne at the top of the Atheneum, one of New Harmony鈥檚 many architectural treasures. Recently, I participated in its elegant 40th anniversary celebration. I once stood guard when friends climbed a wall to put their feet in Gabriel鈥檚 footprint for comparison (it was longer and much thinner). I gained much from the many, many notable lecturers, scholars, writers and artists who spoke and worked in New Harmony over the years. I saw seasons of stirring performances at the Murphy Auditorium. I met Jane Owen. I learned to love this small town on the Wabash River and its colorful and vibrant inhabitants.听听

As a听91社区听art professor听(emerita),听New Harmony鈥檚 value to听the University was immediately clear to me听in 1985 when 91社区 began听its听management of Historic听New Harmony 鈥撎齛nd听that听is truer听today听than ever.听I听have听had the privilege of听supporting New Harmony in a number of ways听during my career, and now, as听I听soon听mark听40听years as a听Hoosier, I听will听begin听perhaps听my听most important role yet, as Chair of the Historic听New听Harmony Advisory Board.听I am humbled听by the prospect听and determined to听do my best to听assist听the听HNH administrators, staff and听board members who, like me,听are听passionate about New Harmony.听It is our mission听to听secure and听promote听its听role as an听historical, cultural and听intellectual touchstone听in our state, nation and beyond.听Yesterday, I attended the听annual New Harmony Independence Day Celebration听and,听as always, was moved by the听ceremony,听its speakers and participants, and by the听New Harmony Community Chorus鈥檚 renditions of听not one but two听special songs about New Harmony.听I can still hear the听refrain that ended the program:听New Harmony, New Harmony,听New Harmony,听Indiana.听

Dr. Michael (Mike) Strezewski first visited New Harmony in 1997 as a graduate student at Indiana University. He was struck by how this 鈥渓ittle town鈥� had maintained a distinct identity almost 200 years after it was founded. Years later, he would become a professor at the 91社区 and become very involved in New Harmony. 鈥淲hen I was presented the opportunity to work there, I knew it would be interesting,鈥� he said.

As an archeologist, Mike focuses on New Harmony鈥檚 extensive past. Since 2008, he has conducted several excavations including one on the grounds of the Working Men鈥檚 Institute, at the site of the Harmonist kiln and one just outside the north wall of the Harmonist Cemetery. He is currently leading a field school of both 91社区 and University of Evansville students in Church Park at the site of the original 1816 Harmonist Church. With each of these excavations, not only is he teaching the next generation of anthropologists and archeologists, but he鈥檚 also looking for answers himself. 鈥淚 am fascinated by religious communities such as these and am always looking for more information on how they worked and what drew people to put down everything and join a Utopian society like the one created by George Rapp.鈥�

As Mike demonstrates through his annual field schools, New Harmony is truly a living learning environment for 91社区 students and educators. Furthermore, he wants more students and faculty at 91社区 to become a part of this environment of possibilities. He believes that the historic records of the two attempts at utopia that occurred in New Harmony are a 鈥渧astly underutilized source of information.鈥� Although the Harmonists spoke German, most of their documents are in English, as the majority of those they did business with spoke English. 鈥淭here is so much unanalyzed data on the Harmonists that a person could make an entire career out of it鈥� of course you would have to get used to reading nineteenth century handwriting.鈥� These records don鈥檛 just tell us about the past, studying these records can help those that study them further their analytical skills which can help to better understand our current world.

Through his field schools and听, he works to further engage students, faculty and even history enthusiasts in our 鈥渓ittle town鈥� on the Wabash. As a part of the Historic New Harmony Advisory Board, we are so thankful for Dr. Strezewski鈥檚 fascination and dedication.

New Harmony residents and avid 91社区 supporters, David and Vicki Campbell started dating in New Harmony and ultimately made Utopia their home nearly 20 years ago. As you can imagine, this town is special to the Campbells and so is Historic New Harmony. David and Vicki have both served on our advisory board through the years. The couple supports our board in a myriad of ways in its efforts of preservation and continuing the 鈥渆ssence of New Harmony.鈥� These efforts are accomplished by what David noted as an inclusive board 鈥渆ncompassing a lot of different ideas and views which are only beneficial.鈥�

鈥淥nly in New Harmony.鈥� You have probably seen this phrase in another newsletter article or heard it on a visit to Utopia. It鈥檚 frequently repeated by our residents. When asked about a special memory, David shared that there were too many because he believes New Harmony itself is special. 鈥淣ew Harmony is wonderful because it鈥檚 small鈥� with an eclectic population full of all skills and ideas. That鈥檚 what makes New Harmony special.鈥�

With the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, David believes we must take what makes us special and use it to adapt to the changing times. As strong and longtime supporters of the University, David and Vicki know that this needs to includes making sure the value of this historic space is well understood by 91社区 decision-makers as well as continuing to identify rich and innovative opportunities to include 91社区 students, educators and residents.听A unique asset to the University, David believes that we can鈥檛 let space and travel be an obstacle. As we move forward through this pandemic, there will be more opportunities to 鈥渆mploy the assets that are HNH.鈥� We can draw both students and visitors with music and the important history and ideas of science that are rooted in New Harmony.

David said it best, 鈥渨hen in New Harmony, you either get it or don鈥檛 get it and the people on this board get it.鈥� We are thankful for those that get it, especially David and Vicki, as we continue to fulfill our mission.

Advisory Board Thank You听Ed Jones, Chair of Historic New Harmony Advisory Board听

The successes of Historic New Harmony in the 2019-2020 program year have been significant听in spite of听the pandemic and economic uncertainties we all faced this year. Our pride in what has been accomplished over the past year comes from the enduring support of our many friends, both long-time and newly engaged. Indeed, with the help of all our supporters and Advisory Board members, planning for the 2020-2021 program year continues to develop with some major projects underway.听听

Historic New Harmony always has been blessed with outstanding Advisory Board members who generously share their broad range of experiences and talents. The members of the current board exemplify those characteristics. Even though our recent meetings have been held by ZOOM or conference call, members continue to show their support, dedication and creativity needed to help the Historic听New听Harmony听staff, officers and board members make significant progress toward our development goals. Our recent successes with digital delivery of programs and other timely modifications in telling the New Harmony story, the development of collaborations with other historic sites and programs and initiating work on needed restoration projects would not have been possible without the support, time commitment, innovative ideas and rich experiences that the members of the 2019-2021听boards have willingly shared.

I know I speak for the other Advisory Board officers and the staff in expressing our pride in what has been accomplished and thanking our friends and board members for their collaboration which made听all of听this possible. We each have much to be excited about when looking ahead to the creative plans and program innovations to be implemented in 2021.

May everyone have a safe and enjoyable Holiday Season!听听As a gift to us all, let鈥檚 look forward to meeting face-to-face in Utopia in the not-too-distant future!听听

This month, the Historic New Harmony team has been reflecting on the people that make this community unlike any other. For Andrew Wilson, a lifelong resident, it wasn鈥檛 until he joined the advisory board that he realized our community extends well beyond the town鈥檚 physical boundaries. Andrew said it best, 鈥淭here are many people, near and far, that truly care about New Harmony鈥檚 success.鈥� The advisory board is full of those people that continue to share New Harmony鈥檚 history and culture all over the world.

When asked for a special memory he has of New Harmony, Andrew shared one from his childhood. In 1987, the new New Harmony School was dedicated. A momentous occasion, many in the community were in attendance, including Indiana Governor Robert Orr. Building that school was an incredible accomplishment. 鈥淭he effort required many dedicated volunteers, donors and elected officials to get to the day with incredible perseverance. I remember it feeling very momentous. Prideful,鈥� said Andrew. In fact, he believes that we are facing similar challenges today but can accomplish them with that same community spirit.

As we continue to navigate in the age of COVID-19, we are still able to achieve that level of community spirit. Andrew notes that 鈥淣ew Harmony鈥檚 subjects are broad and diverse鈥� and we are in a unique position to leverage HNH鈥檚 communication platforms and digital programming like the Virtual Community Conversation series to continue to engage audiences, attract new visitors and maintain our relationship with our wonderful New Harmony residents, 鈥渇urther connecting our community of donors and volunteers more closely with their interests.鈥�

The New Harmony community is more than just those that reside within the town borders. However, residents and advisory board members like Andrew Wilson are invaluable to us as we continue to share the history and culture of this great town with the world. We are so thankful for his dedication to Historic New Harmony.

Although听Mary Beth Guard听visited New Harmony many times as a child, it wasn鈥檛 until her visit in 2013 that she truly fell in love with this little town鈥檚 magic. She finally experienced the unique atmosphere of New Harmony, 鈥渟teeped in rich and interesting history鈥� and 鈥渟urrounded by beauty.鈥� What makes Mary Beth one of our听strongest听supporters is her desire to play a role in the future of New Harmony. As she puts it simply, 鈥淗istoric New Harmony helps me do so.鈥澨�

鈥淥nly in New Harmony鈥� is an expression Mary Beth hears (and uses) frequently. She believes听 New Harmony is full of experiences that could only happen here. Some are big, some are small, but they are so special, so unique, that 鈥渢his is the only place they could be manifested.鈥� One of those experiences manifested in 鈥淢eet in the Street.鈥� Inspired by a photo seen online in 2018, Mary Beth and a small group produced the event of the year. Coming together quickly, a town potluck that included closing an entire block of Main Street, gorgeous tablescapes and bouquets, local music, delicious food and 150 attendees was organized. In less than two weeks, a New Harmony tradition began.

As shown during听鈥�Meet in the Street,鈥澨齅ary Beth excels at bringing people together,听something she believes is a big part of Historic New Harmony鈥檚 role as well. Historic New Harmony serves as a living laboratory for ideas,听working to bring together the town and the 91社区. Mary Beth is not wrong in declaring that 鈥淣ew Harmony is a ripe environment for object lessons, case studies, internships and opportunities to experiment.鈥� She sees our biggest opportunity in furthering our听鈥渕atchmaking鈥澨齭kills and connecting with students and educators in endless fields including marketing, culinary arts, architecture and more. Most importantly, 鈥淣ew Harmony is like a petri dish where ideas can be nurtured.鈥� While not the most appealing visual, Mary Beth鈥檚 way of describing our little town on the Wabash is certainly accurate.听听

Finally, it is important to note that Mary Beth and her wonderful husband, Michael, often host fantastic guests from their personal social network to further spread the "New Harmony word and possibly even add new members to the community.听听听

Mary Beth brings so much experience and ideas to the advisory board听and we are very thankful for her support!听

Lisa Brooks听became a resident of New Harmony four and a half years ago but was a frequent visitor for 20 years after discovering听Utopia听on a 鈥淏est Places to Visit Before You Die鈥� list. The day she finished Jane Blaffer Owen鈥檚 book,鈥�New Harmony, Indiana: Like鈥€疉 River, Not A Lake, was the day she purchased their home in New Harmony, proving that Mrs. Owen鈥檚 vision and legacy continue to be a powerful influence.鈥�

As a professor of听hospitality and听tourism听management听at Eastern Illinois University (EIU), Lisa appreciates how certain places can enrich the quality of people鈥檚 lives.听She believes that New Harmony 鈥渆levates the human experience.鈥� Lisa also has a better understanding of how Historic New Harmony (HNH) can further serve as a 鈥渓iving learning environment," not only for 91社区 students and educators听but for other universities. She recently received a grant to bring hospitality and tourism management students from EIU to New Harmony to develop a project focused on event planning, tourism or weddings, all of which New Harmony relies on to thrive. In addition, with new state-of-the-art equipment in Clowes Theatre, she sees it as 鈥渙ne of the most sophisticated venues鈥� for presentations. Not only can 91社区 students and faculty utilize this space, but we have an improved听venue to host community members in 鈥渞esearch based educational sessions听in order听to strengthen the bridge between New Harmony and 91社区.鈥濃€€€�

If you have spent any time in New Harmony in June, I鈥檓 sure you have seen what Lisa calls the 鈥渕agical flashing of fireflies.鈥� Say鈥檚 Firefly, named after Thomas Say, the entomologist who discovered them and a longtime New Harmony resident who arrived听on the Boatload of Knowledge听in听1826, was named Indiana鈥檚 State Insect in 2018. That year, New Harmony celebrated with a fantastic party that included educational lessons, firefly themed food and drink, children鈥檚 activities, and best of all, evening golf cart tours to watch the fireflies flash throughout the town. However, much to her horror, Lisa recently saw a headline that didn鈥檛 bode well for our fireflies:听鈥淚ndiana鈥檚 state insect, the firefly, facing extinction.鈥� Fireflies are facing escalating threats of鈥痯esticide use, growing light pollution and loss of their natural habitats. When asked if there was one major project or听topic听she would like HNH to tackle, her response was quick. As Lisa said, 鈥渋t seems beneficial and appropriate for Historic New Harmony to host an annual Say鈥檚 Firefly听event鈥� that听could work to protect听the firefly听by听educating visitors and community members.鈥�

We鈥檙e thankful for Lisa鈥檚 commitment to both HNH and Say's Firefly and look forward to working with her further through our amazing advisory board.