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"Firefly Fest was a great way to celebrate an anniversary. Thanks for showing us the wonder."
Comment left in the Atheneum's visitor notebook by an attendee of the Firefly Festival in New Harmony in June 2024.
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ASSISTANT DIRECTOR'S UPDATE |
We debuted a new addition to our newsletter lineup this August by issuing First Look, which offers our subscribers the “first look” at our engagement calendar. This monthly newsletter provides you with all the details you need to know to plan your next visit to New Harmony and engage with Historic New Harmony and the New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art. You’ll be the first to know about our upcoming exhibits, tours, programs and events. Watch your inbox for the next edition, which will be released during the last week of November!
I’m pleased to issue this edition of In Harmony, which we have reimagined as a look backward in counterpart to our First Look newsletter. In Harmony will now be a place where we can gather our stories of impact and share with you how we have engaged our community—our visitors, our local community and the students, faculty and staff at the University of Southern Indiana. If a family member or friend forwarded you this newsletter, we hope you’ll join our community by subscribing here.
In this issue, you’ll read about Historic New Harmony’s expanded offerings as part of the Firefly Festival in June, New Harmony’s Independence Day celebration in July and engagement experiences with the University of Southern Indiana faculty and students in August and September. You’ll also read about Spirit of New Harmony, a survey exhibition by the New Harmony Artists’ Guild at the New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art. No matter what your interest is, there’s something for everyone in Utopia!Diane Sanders
Assistant Director of Historic New Harmony
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Visitors to the 2024 Firefly Festival line up outside the Atheneum Visitor Center to board a tram or golf cart to ride to the firefly viewing area.
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NEW HARMONY FIREFLY FESTIVAL |
New Harmony was full of fun activities and visitors the weekend of June 7-9 with the Golden Raintree Antique Festival, Cruise-in and the New Harmony Firefly Festival. Historic New Harmony partnered with One New Harmony to offer this free family-friendly event on Friday, June 7 and Saturday, June 8 to honor Indiana's state insect: Say's Firefly. An estimated 1,000 people came to the Atheneum Visitor Center that weekend to witness the spectacle of hundreds of thousands of fireflies emerging in the woods, signaling and responding to each other with flashes of light. Though our staff were not expecting such a large crowd, we were pleased to see that word had spread about this year's event. We heard that some visitors had traveled from as far away as Illinois, Louisville in Kentucky, Michigan and Ohio to attend the Firefly Festival and other events in New Harmony.The Atheneum remained open until 10 p.m. each evening with free Firefly Tram and Golf Cart Tours as the main attraction. Visitors lined up in front of the Atheneum to board Historic New Harmony's tram or a volunteer's golf cart to ride out to the firefly viewing area near the Wabash River. Local food vendors set up on the grounds of the Atheneum to offer savory and sweet foods and drinks. Historic New Harmony provided tables and chairs outside the building for visitors to use for eating and relaxing in each other's company. On Saturday morning and afternoon, Historic New Harmony debuted a new Draw Like a Naturalist program and hosted children's firefly storytelling and craft activities. A Thomas Say impersonator presented on the discovery and naming of Say's Firefly each evening in the Clowes Theater. Just before dusk, volunteers outfitted visitors with glow sticks and taught them how to make glow stick necklaces, bracelets and headbands. Music started outside around 8:30 p.m. for people to enjoy a Glow Dance Party. This honored the glow of fireflies and their "dance" in the woods. We encourage you to join us next year at the Atheneum for the 2025 Firefly Festival, scheduled for June 27-28, 2025. Heidi Taylor-Caudill
Collections & Community Engagement Manager
Historic New Harmony |
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Actor Barnes Bradshaw impersonating the Father of American Entomology, Thomas Say, tells the story of his life to an audience in the Atheneum's Clowes Theater.
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Volunteers assist visitors with making glow stick accessories to wear at the Glow Dance Party on the Atheneum's front lawn and to the firefly viewing area.
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Food vendors were present around the Atheneum, offering visitors food and drinks to purchase and enjoy outside.
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A child's drawing of fireflies using stamps and black and yellow ink.
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A family poses with their glow stick accessories outside the Atheneum.
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Historic New Harmony hosted two sessions of a new art class - Draw Like a Naturalist - during the Firefly Festival. University of Southern Indiana graduate Savannah Hoskinson, a science and nature-based illustrator, developed the class to teach students how to look closely at natural history specimens and make observations through drawing the way that naturalists have done for hundreds of years. She led the sessions at the Atheneum Visitors Center. Savannah brought specimens from her personal collection for the students to handle and study. Interpreter Heidi Doss loaned us a few animal skulls. I also shared several cases of mounted insects from Historic New Harmony's collection. Students received a set of drawing pencils and a sketchpad to use during the class and for further practice at home. Overall, feedback was positive from both children and their adults. Several Firefly Festival visitors who noticed the class asked whether we would be offering a version for adults in the future. We hope to have more news on that possibility next year!
Collections & Community Engagement ManagerHistoric New Harmony |
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Savannah Hoskinson demonstrates how to observe a specimen for illustration during a session of Draw Like a Naturalist on June 8, 2024.
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A few animal skulls and Savannah's examples of drawing from natural history specimens.
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A collection of feathers, shells, starfish, skulls, bones, and rocks on a table.
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New Harmony community members and visitors gather in the Clowes Theater at the Atheneum Visitor Center for music, speeches, and a reading of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2024. Photo courtesy of David Angel.
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INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION |
New Harmony’s Independence Day celebration dates to 1815 when the Harmonists celebrated the anniversary of their arrival to the United States, as well as the civic holiday. Celebrations continued with the Owen-Maclure Experiment and beyond. Today, the Friends of the Working Men’s Institute, the New Harmony Kiwanis, and Historic New Harmony partner together to put on the annual celebration, which includes a patriotic program featuring a Color Guard, keynote address, the reading of the Declaration of Independence, patriotic songs by the New Harmony Community Choir and the presentation of Volunteer of the Year; a golf cart parade through town and a picnic at Maclure Park.
This year, heavy morning rain threatened to cancel the golf cart parade and town picnic. After a torrential downpour moments before the program began, the skies cleared, and New Harmony enjoyed a beautiful (if not hot and humid) day for the rest of the festivities!
The American Legion Post 370 Color Guard opened the program at the Atheneum Visitors Center, followed by Randy Owens, pastor of Johnson United Methodist Church, who delivered the opening prayer. Jeanne Maudlin, President of the Friends of the Working Men’s Institute, emceed the program. Ben Nicholson delivered a dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence in town crier fashion, while I delivered the keynote address. Dianna Simkins presented the Kiwanis and Tri-Kappa Volunteer of the Year Award to Kent Schuette, a devoted citizen and volunteer to many organizations in town. If you missed it, you can view the entire program here.
I was honored to be asked to be this year’s keynote speaker, as I would be joining the ranks of many of the historic figures that we interpret at Historic New Harmony. Given my past federal service at the Architect of the Capitol and the U.S. Capitol Visitors Center, I had a wealth of information to draw from and could see taking the speech in many directions. I wrote and rewrote that speech in my head many times last winter, spring and summer but found it difficult to land the main message. What could I—a newcomer to this town—offer residents and visitors that would be different from speeches that came before mine?
It became a running joke in the office and at home in the months and weeks leading up to July 4 if my speech was finished—and no, it wasn’t. A procrastinator to the core/perfectionist to the end, I was working on it up until July 2. I thought this was apropos, given that Congress voted to declare independence on July 2, but it wasn’t ratified until July 4. I would like to thank and give credit to my husband, James Sanders, who listened to my rambling thoughts and gave critical suggestions all those months, edited the speech numerous times and listened to me practice it again and again.
In the end, my message centered around the idea that we have the power and responsibility to both our past and to our future to work towards creating “a more perfect Union” right here in New Harmony. And while I believe in the power of government at all levels, I’m also a big believer in starting local because that’s where our power of influence really flourishes and makes an impact on our everyday lives. So, I hope you voted this election season. I hope you’ll continue to participate in our local town government and planning processes. I hope you’ll lend your voice and time to the causes and candidates you support because it’s going to take every one of us to form “a more perfect Union” right here at home and in our country.Diane Sanders
Assistant Director of Historic New Harmony
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Diane Sanders, Assistant Director of Historic New Harmony, gives the keynote address at the New Harmony Independence Day Celebration on July 4, 2024. Photo courtesy of David Angel.
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Ben Nicholson reads the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2024. Photo courtesy of David Angel.
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The New Harmony Community Choir leads the singing of patriotic music at the Independence Day Celebration on July 4, 2024. Photo courtesy of David Angel.
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Participants on the Legacy of Arts and Culture in New Harmony special tour listen as interpreter Heidi Doss discusses the Tree of 40 Fruit on August 10, 2024. Photo courtesy of David Angel.
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A LEGACY OF ARTS AND CULTURE IN NEW HARMONY |
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On August 10, both New Harmony residents and visitors joined us for a special evening tour highlighting the legacy of arts and culture in New Harmony.
As we made our way through New Harmony, many of the town's more contemporary and unique art installations were highlighted including the Atheneum, the Healing Palindrome, Trees of 40 Fruit and many more, ending our day at the river to look for bald eagles and take in a sunset along the Wabash's natural canvas. The tour was more of a conversation than a lecture as many town residents shared their experiences and stories about the community's rich "Arts" history.
We had so much fun, and the event was full of information, smiles and laughter. It feels as if there is always something new and different to discover in New Harmony, and we hope to offer more specialty tours in the future.
Heidi Doss
Historic New Harmony Interpreter
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A view through the window of the New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art at the exhibition, Spirit of New Harmony: The New Harmony Artists' Guild. Photo courtesy of David Angel.
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A giant’s head peered out from the window, gazing down Main Street toward the Ribeyre Gymnasium. The head, crowned with a shock of bright red, papier-mâché hair and flanked by a green hood, announced the arrival of Spirit of New Harmony: The New Harmony Artists’ Guild at the New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art.
On view from August-September 2024, this exhibit featured over 50 artworks made by more than 30 of the artists comprising the guild. Many showing their artworks live right here in New Harmony, as did the musicians who played weekends on special occasions like the opening reception and during the September 10 University of Southern Indiana Class of 2028 visit. The natural world in many ways took center stage, exuding its presence with landscapes, flora and fauna and depictions of the metaphysical aspects of New Harmony on display for visitors to the show. A suite of hand-carved wooden waterfowl gathered on a suite of periwinkle pedestals, with a handcrafted walnut table and chairs commanding attention in the rear of the gallery and delicately patterned textile artworks, diligently assembled artwork in glass, and even a cabinet named after famous New Harmony resident Fanny Wright congregating around it. Drawings by the artist guild’s drawing group, who gather weekly, presented portrait sketches, many furtively depicting artists whose work hung throughout the gallery. Paintings, photography, works on paper and more gave viewers a comprehensive look at the range of artworks made right here in Southwest Indiana: a – perhaps unexpected – pearl of artistic expression in the oyster of Indiana.
“I’m happy to see so many local people [showing their work] here,” remarked one guest, staying with a longtime family friend while visiting from Chicago. Many visitors came to see work by their friends or neighbors, while others – such as members of the USI Freshman class – were enthralled by retired New Harmony personality Charlie Gatson’s retellings of key moments in his rich and colorful life to date. The exhibit wasn’t just a feast for the eyes – dulcimer player Rick Huffman not only entertained guests with this native North American jewel of an instrument, allowing intrepid guitar players the chance to pluck their own tunes on its fret board. Artist Donnie Martin visited throughout the exhibit, shedding insight into his wood carving process with our staff and visitors alike. Other local artists, such as Laura Foster Nicholson and Paul Moser, were able to reflect on their practice for visiting gallerists and theater fans respectively.
As a longtime fan of established grassroots theater group Bread & Puppet Theater’s innovative strategies for immersive artistic experiences, it was rewarding to see the ideas of Paul Moser’s own ongoing project to bring larger-than-life puppets to New Harmony for a production of “A Christmas Carol” this Christmas season taking up the mantle in presenting theater that inspired wonder and speaks to the humanity in all of us.
Wherever your eyes roamed across the gallery’s walls while visiting Spirit of New Harmony: New Harmony Artists’ Guild, you could see an artwork made by someone you’ve waved to as they’ve rumbled down Church Street on a golf cart or chatted to while walking their dog. One painting might have been made by that neighbor who waited behind you in line at Black Lodge, or one of the carefully detailed drawings may have been brought in by a famous local architect you’ve seen shopping on Main Street. The warmth of the residents of New Harmony and Posey County was palpable in this rarest of exhibits presenting a group of artists proud to create in a place they love living.
Audra Verona Lambert
Curator of the New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art
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USI students gather at the Atheneum Visitor Center in New Harmony on September 10, 2024.
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Professor Bill Elliott talks with USI students about the history of geology in New Harmony.
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USI FRESHMEN VISIT NEW HARMONY |
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On September 10, Historic New Harmony welcomed University of Southern Indiana's freshman class to New Harmony for the UNIV101: Screaming Eagle Experience. This annual event presents New Harmony as a living learning laboratory and demonstrates the connection between Historic New Harmony and USI. It is funded entirely by the USI Foundation and the Provost's Office.
More than 1,300 students spent the day in New Harmony visiting historic sites on a scavenger hunt, viewing the Spirit of New Harmony exhibition at the New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art, grabbing lunch from food trucks, shopping at New Harmony businesses and participating in the Atheneum Spirit Fair. Volunteers from USI and the New Harmony community were on hand to answer questions and talk about the town. The community also came together to bake thousands of homemade cookies for the New Harmony Kiwanis to give out to the students.
An artist involved with the Spirit of New Harmony exhibition volunteered to speak with students about his process and to share his passion for his craft. He later shared this reflection about that day:
"Being one of the artists spending most of the day with the students I certainly enjoyed every group. As it would be in any group of young people some were more interested than others, everyone I engaged with were courteous and had great questions. I have lectured across the country including Washington University in St. Louis, SIAC in Chicago and many others. The USI students were as professional and inquisitive as any group I have had the pleasure to interact with. The gallery director and staff went over and above for this event to make it a great learning and fun event for both students and the artist involved."
Historic New Harmony looks forward to introducing another new class of USI freshmen to New Harmony next year!
Heidi Taylor-Caudill
Collections & Community Engagement Manager
Historic New Harmony
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The New Harmony Kiwanis talk to USI students and distribute cookies baked by volunteers in New Harmony.
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A volunteer answers questions from USI students at the New Harmony Working Men's Institute.
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USI students line up to enter the Roofless Church in New Harmony.
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An arrangement made of fresh flowers from New Harmony gardens and table-top cards welcoming new faculty members and advertising activities available in New Harmony.
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On August 7, Historic New Harmony welcomed new faculty members from the University of Southern Indiana (USI) to New Harmony. The visit started with lunch at the Atheneum Visitor Center catered by New Harmony business Black Lodge Coffee Roasters consisting of sandwiches, salads, pita bread and hummus, water, and sassafras strawberry lemonade. On each table were vases of fresh flowers shared from New Harmony gardens, maps, and brochures and table-top cards with information on things to do and see in town. Provost Shelly Blunt and college deans spoke during lunch about connections between USI and New Harmony, urging new faculty members to come back and explore the town and take advantage of opportunities to collaborate with Historic New Harmony and local businesses, organizations, and groups. After lunch, everyone viewed the new orientation film about New Harmony. They also heard from Assistant Director Diane Sanders, who spoke about Historic New Harmony's tours, events, programs, and other activities available to faculty, staff, and students. The faculty members then toured New Harmony aboard Historic New Harmony's tram. On this tour, they stopped at the New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art to learn more about its exhibits and programs from curator Audra Verona Lambert. At the end of the day, the group returned to the Atheneum for a collective photo.Historic New Harmony enjoyed sharing the beauty and hospitality of New Harmony with USI's new faculty. We hope they will return in the future with family and friends to experience more of this wonderful and unique small town. Heidi Taylor-Caudill
Collections & Community Engagement ManagerHistoric New Harmony
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Lunch at the Atheneum Visitor Center.
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University of Southern Indiana new faculty learn about the New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art.
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ATHENEUM SOLAR ECLIPSE PRINT NOW AVAILABLE |
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During the 2024 solar eclipse, New Harmony’s own artist/photographer, Andy Batt, took an ethereal picture of the eclipse at the Atheneum and had metal prints made. He explained the process, stating that “these metal prints are made by infusing dyes directly into specially coated sheets of aluminum. They provide stunning and magical luminescence and detail. They are waterproof and scratch resistant. As a photographer I prefer the high gloss, frameless design with a 1/2” float hanger behind the print.”
Batt said that the prints are easy to clean with water and a microfiber towel but recommends not using an ammonia-based window cleaner.
These prints are currently available at the Museum Shop in the Atheneum Visitors Center.
Christine Crews
Administrative Associate
Historic New Harmony
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Print on metal, Atheneum 2024 Solar Eclipse, $150.
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HISTORIC NEW HARMONY ADVISORY BOARD |
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The Historic New Harmony Advisory Board is a group organized under the authority of the University of Southern Indiana Foundation that supports Historic New Harmony’s mission and promotes Historic New Harmony’s educational, scholarly, cultural, charitable and related activities.
Board members contribute their time, financial support and expertise. Each year, the board consists of 30-40 members, each of whom serves three-year terms. Advisory board members meet quarterly and as needed and can participate in the Nominating Committee, Development Committee, Special Events Committee, University Engagement Committee and/or the Community Engagement Committee. At the annual meeting each May, the board nominates and elects new members.
This May, 7 members departed the board, and 7 new members were elected. Historic New Harmony would like to thank the following individuals for their service on the Historic New Harmony Advisory Board: Bix Branson, Lisa Brooks, Rusty Freeman, Mary Beth Guard, Robert Reid, Suzy Schuette, and Andrew Wilson. We appreciate the time and financial support all of you contributed to our organization. We especially want to thank Lisa Brooks and Andrew Wilson for their leadership as Vice Chairs of Special Events and Community Engagement, respectively.
We would like to welcome our new board members to the Class of 2027: Matthew Hanka, Docey Lewis, Jeanne Maudlin, Paul Moser, Katie Waters, and Barbara and Brian Williams.
We thank our new and returning board members in advance for their time and support in service to the Historic New Harmony Advisory Board and Historic New Harmony.
Diane Sanders
Assistant Director of Historic New Harmony
Christine Crews
Administrative Associate
Historic New Harmony
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New Board Members Matthew Hanka
Matthew Hanka of Evansville is Professor of Political Science at the University of Southern Indiana (USI) and has been for many years. His interests include housing policy, community development, urban policy and governance, strategic planning, and social capital.
Docey Lewis
Docey Lewis of New Harmony is an abstract artist and textile engineer, who is a direct descendant of Robert Owen. An entrepreneur in artisan development, Docey has traveled to more than 45 countries to teach groups of people, many in remote areas, how to build sustainable lives through their handicrafts, which she would then incorporate into her textile designs for notable clients.
Jeanne Maudlin
Jeanne Maudlin of New Harmony is an active resident and community volunteer. Jeanne is a strong supporter of the Working Men’s Institute (WMI) and has served as president of the Friends of the WMI organization for several years. Jeanne assists her husband, Nathan, in his law practice, which is located in New Harmony and Indianapolis.
Paul Moser
Paul Moser of New Harmony taught acting, directing and new play development at Oberlin College in Ohio for many years. Paul has extensive teaching and directing experience in the many aspects of theatre production. From West Side Theatre, New York City, in 1977 to Murphy Auditorium, New Harmony, in 1994, when he directed Tennessee Williams’ play “Suddenly Last Summer,” Paul’s career expands many years.
Katie Waters
Katie Waters of Evansville is returning to the Advisory Board having previously served as its Chair from 2022 to 2024. Katie retired as Professor and Chair of the USI Art Department in 2019, where she taught painting and drawing for forty years and was named USI’s Distinguished Professor in 2015. Katie’s artwork has been exhibited widely at the national and regional levels.
Barbara and Brian Williams
Barbara and Brian Williams are both practicing attorneys in Evansville and have served on the Historic New Harmony Advisory Board over the years sharing generously of their time and financial support. As strong community advocates, they have been recognized for their dedication and service to civic affairs in Evansville and were recipients of the esteemed Rotary Club of Evansville’s annual Civic Award in 2016. |
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In-Person Engagement
So far in 2024, Historic New Harmony has welcomed approximately 11,768 visitors to the Atheneum and served 6,734 people through our programs and use of our facilities. Many visitors chose to take a tour with us while other visitors sought out information on New Harmony, watched our orientation film, browsed our Museum Shop, or interacted with our staff in other ways.
Visitor Attendance
March-September 2024
Total Visitors 11,768
Visitors on Tours 8,238
Visitors not on Tours 3,530
Programs/Facilities Use
March-September 2024
Total People Served 6,734
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Social Media Outreach
Historic New Harmony has also invested in increasing our outreach to online audiences through our Facebook and Instagram accounts. So far in 2024, we have reached approximately 442,708 people between the two platforms. We use social media to advertise our programs, events, and tours; to share the history of New Harmony with a wider audience; and to promote tourism and community engagement in New Harmony.
Facebook
January 1-October 24, 2024
Total Followers 8,108
Reach 440,135
New Follows 1,531
Instagram
January 1-October 24, 2024
Total Followers 1,400
Reach 2,573
New Follows 79
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Help Historic New Harmony continue its historic preservation efforts, educational programming, and more with your charitable gift to the USI Foundation. You can make your gift securely online at USI.edu/giving, calling 812-464-1918, or mailing to USI Foundation, 8600 University Blvd., Evansville, IN 47712. Your charitable gift is tax-deductible and a gift receipt will be issued.
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PO Box 579
New Harmony, Indiana 47631
USA
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