New Harmony is an unusual town that is not like any you’ve ever seen before. It’s a small place, with just under 1,000 residents, but it’s got more history than many cities that are magnitudes larger. Located just a little north of Mount Vernon, it was originally founded as a utopian socialist community and is considered a forerunner to the modern co-op movement.

Robert Owen, an 18th-century social reformer, formed a utopian community that would become New Harmony.
Wikimedia Commons
The utopian community was considered a failed social experiment after internal conflict just a few years after its founding. Even so, the little town made great progress.
Chris Flook/Wikimedia Commons
The first public library in Indiana was founded in New Harmony, as was a public school system that was open to both men and women.
New Harmony features a few antique log cabins that show common architectural styles of the time period when the community was founded.
Chris Light/Wikimedia Commons
The cabins can now be rented for special events.

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One of the most famous structures in New Harmony is the Roofless Church. Constructed in 1960, the structure is an open-air, non-denominational place of worship.
christine rutz/Flickr
One really cool piece of architecture is New Harmony's Atheneum, which now serves as the town's visitor center.
Michael Gaebler/Wikimedia Commons
The Atheneum holds several galleries and plays a short film for visitors that tells the history of the town.
The Labyrinth is located just outside of the Atheneum. It is made of rose granite and designed to allow visitors to walk in quiet meditation.
christina rutz/Flickr
The charming facades of the downtown buildings are so cheerful!
Timothy K Hamilton/Wikimedia Commons
You really will feel like you've stepped back in time and are walking through history as you stroll through New Harmony's idyllic streets.

Check out the town’s website for more information.

Have you visited New Harmony? Share your experiences in the comments!

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New Harmony, IN 47631, USA