The University of Southern Indiana has received a $2.5 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to support Historic New Harmony’s efforts to strengthen exhibitions and programs focused on the history of religion and spirituality in New Harmony. Lilly Endowment made the grant through its Religion and Cultural Institutions Initiative.
The grant will help Historic New Harmony, a program of USI, build on the work it began with a 2023 Lilly Endowment grant. That funding has helped Historic New Harmony strengthen the ways in which it encourages visitors to explore the religious beliefs and practices of two nineteenth century New Harmony utopian communities and their lasting influence on the southwestern Indiana town. Major initiatives include the renovation of two historic buildings to create a permanent exhibition and community learning space, as well as the development of an interfaith festival.
The grant complements a separate Religion and Cultural Institution Initiative grant to the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites, which will focus on strengthening religious and spiritual themes in the museum’s New Harmony Historic Site properties and programs. Together, these efforts will create a more dynamic and cohesive narrative that enhances New Harmony’s interpretive infrastructure and honors its unique legacy.
The new funding to support Historic New Harmony will enable it to continue to share the town’s unique history with broader audiences. New Harmony was founded in 1814 by German Pietists led by Father George Rapp, who sought religious freedom and communal living. A second community, established by industrialist Robert Owen and his business partner William Maclure, aimed to build a model society grounded in education and social equality.
Historic New Harmony will integrate these narratives—examining belief systems, including religion and the founders’ visions—into a cohesive interpretive framework for public engagement. The grant period is five years.
Planned activities include:
- Developing a master interpretive plan, redesigning tour programs, producing documentary films and creating new K–12 field trip and educational programming
- Enhancing amenities for group travelers and school groups
- Improving landscaping and interpretive features in Church Park
- Implementing the Maclure Square Public Art Program
- Advancing collections development and launching a Community Collections Digitization Program
- Continuing the Interfaith Festival, which was initiated with support from the first Lilly Endowment grant
“We are excited about the impact the new grant will have on our ability to better serve the public,” said Leslie Townsend, Director of Community Engagement and Historic New Harmony. “Through enhanced interpretation, updated tour programming and expanded amenities, visitors and residents will gain a deeper understanding of the central role that religious freedom and spirituality played in the founding of New Harmony and how those values continue to shape the community today.”
Lilly Endowment funding supports Historic New Harmony’s mission of preserving New Harmony’s utopian legacy by inspiring innovation and progressive thought through its programs and collections.
“The United States is one of the most religious nations in the world today.” said Christopher L. Coble, Lilly Endowment’s Vice President for Religion. “Many individuals and families trust museums and other cultural institutions and visit them to learn about their communities and the world. We are excited to support these organizations as they embark on projects to help visitors understand and appreciate the varied religious beliefs, practices and perspectives of their neighbors and others in communities around the globe.”
Historic New Harmony is one of 72 organizations that have received grants through the Religion and Cultural Institutions Initiative. Lilly Endowment launched the initiative in 2019. Its aim is to encourage and support museums and cultural institutions in the United States in strengthening their capacities to provide fair and accurate portrayals of the role religion has played and continues to play in the United States and around the world. For more information, visit the website at USI.edu/hnh or contact Diane Sanders, Assistant Director of Historic New Harmony, at desanders@usi.edu or 812-682-3920.
