Celebrate 200 Years of Bold Ideas That Changed the World

In 1825, two visionaries turned a small Indiana town named New Harmony into America's most watched social experiment. Robert Owen and William Maclure believed they could create a perfect community, one with better schools, fairer workplaces, and people working together instead of competing. Their community lasted only two years, but its impact spread across the globe. Though the New Harmony experiment didn't work as planned, it holds valuable lessons about building intentional communities and has sparked movements for education reform, workers' rights, and cooperative businesses that continue today.

Why This Matters Now

Some of today’s biggest challenges – from educational inequality to workers wanting fair pay – aren’t new. Owen and Maclure faced similar problems 200 years ago. They asked tough questions: Should education work for everyone, not just the wealthy? Can businesses succeed while treating workers well? How do we build communities where people truly care about each other? These same questions are everywhere in our news, our workplaces, and our schools today.

Join Us as We Look Back and Move Forward

New Harmony's Owen-Maclure 200 celebration isn't just about the past. It's about learning from both their successes and their mistakes. Discover how New Harmony, Indiana, became a testing ground for big ideas about education, fairness, and community building. ​  

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Stay Connected to the Celebration

This website serves as the central hub for information about the Owen-Maclure 200. It will launch on Monday, November 17, 2025. Here's how the website will keep you informed:

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Stay Updated  

• Get the latest news about programs and events.

• Follow our social media feeds for updates and historical facts.

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Plan Your Visit   

• Browse a calendar of events from 2025-2027.

• Register for lectures and special programs.

• Get details on tours and exhibits.

• Learn about lodging, dining, and other travel details.

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Dive Deeper

• Access a growing library of historical documents, photos, and artifacts.

• Read research about Owen, Maclure, and their community members.

• Explore interactive timelines and maps. 

• Find reading lists and recommended books about the New Harmony experiment. 

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This website will grow throughout the celebration, adding new content and stories about this fascinating chapter in American and world history. 

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What You'll Experience 

Over the next two years, 2025-2027, the Owen-Maclure 200 will explore how New Harmony's second utopian community changed the world. We will share stories of real people who dared to dream differently, lessons that can help us solve modern problems, and proof that local communities can spark national change. Come see how yesterday's "impossible" ideas became today's reality and imagine what we might next achieve, together.

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