University of Southern Indiana’s Historic New Harmony is set to open the Atheneum Visitors Center and the New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art to the public on Wednesday, July 8.
The Atheneum Visitors Center will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and the New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
Guided tours of the historic sites will resume at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 11. Entry to some sites may be limited to allow for safe physical distancing. The tram will be sanitized after each tour.
“Historic New Harmony is excited to again open its doors to the community and visitors in July. We’ve worked hard during the shutdown to continue the mission of Historic New Harmony with virtual programming, but this amazing town and its unique history are meant to be experienced in person,†said Dan Mason, Associate Director of Historic New Harmony. “Guests will find that public safety is our top priority. We have implemented many changes to how we welcome, interact and present history to our guests. I’m confident that our team will make sure it’s still enjoyable and educational.”
In addition to guided tours, an option of new self-guided walking tours will be available for purchase at the Atheneum gift shop. Available tour topics will focus on local history, public art, New Harmony architecture and a children’s tour.
To comply with University policy and with CDC recommendations, new processes have been implemented to ensure public safety. Hand sanitizer will be available for staff and guests, cleaning routines of public spaces and the trams will be increased, and limits to capacity in buildings and on the tours will be enforced to encourage physical distancing. All visitors will be required to wear face coverings. Masks will be for sale at the Atheneum and gallery.
“We will require that all guests wear face protection while visiting the Historic New Harmony sites and participating in tours. I know that might be a bit challenging during the summer months, but the safety of our visitors and employees is key,†said Mason.
The New Harmony Golf Car Company will again be renting golf carts to visitors from the Atheneum starting Wednesday, July 8. Golf carts will be cleaned before each rental.
Gallery exhibitions will continue as planned; however, the gallery will not host any receptions or special events until after Friday, August 14. Entry to the gallery will be limited to up to 15 patrons at a time.
Virtual programming will continue throughout the summer for the community and children. Visit the Historic New Harmony website and social media accounts for details.
USI and Historic New Harmony will continue to monitor the rapidly changing and ongoing outbreak of COVID-19 daily and follow the recommendations and guidance from the State, the CDC, the Indiana State Department of Health and local healthcare providers. Detailed information on the University’s safe return to campus can be found at USI.edu/Covid-19.
Historic New Harmony is a unified program of USI Outreach and Engagement and the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites. By preserving its utopian legacy, Historic New Harmony inspires innovation and progressive thought through its programs and collections.
For more information about Historic New Harmony, contact Erin McCracken Merris, Marketing Specialist for USI Outreach and Engagement, at emccracken@usi.edu.
