49. NEW HARMONY

New Harmony, Indiana

6/19/2010

We knew a severe thunderstorm was heading our way, so we made sure to leave Bean Blossom before it hit and head to our hotel for the night – way over in Grayling, Illinois. We stayed at a Super 8 that was only built in 2003 so it was pretty nice. Honestly, the bed was more comfortable than our bed at home! Unfortunately, Daniel had a really hard time dealing with all four of us sleeping together in the same room. The new baby has really shaken up his world.

One minor gripe about the hotel’s location: It is one of the very few hotels near the New Harmony / Evansville area, yet it’s about ten miles from any fast food places. By the time we arrived and checked in we were starving, but there weren’t a lot of options. So, vending machine pop tarts for us.

The next morning we went into New Harmony. The town has two distinct origins. It was originally founded by a religious sect called the Harmonists to prepare for the imminent final judgment. When they got tired of waiting, they left. Then the entire town was purchased by utopian socialist Robert Owen in order to create a perfect, classless community. Yes, a guy who abhorred capitalism had enough cash to buy a whole town.

We started our visit at the Atheneum – which is the local visitor center. It has a cool name because some famous architect designed it.

At the visitor center we learned that for harmonists, labyrinths were a sacred symbol – two of which they built in town. One is called the Cathedral Labyrinth – a reproduction of the Chartres Labyrinth in France. When the visitor center lady explained this to us I pretended like I knew what she was talking about. (Apparently, it’s a famous labyrinth. I didn’t know there were famous labyrinths. In fact, I’m not even sure if I can spell labyrinth.)

I walked the Cathedral Labyrinth, bearing in mind that it was designed as a religious icon for the Harmonists – so I didn’t cheat.

Right down the road from the Cathedral Labyrinth is an unusual building – the Roofless Church. Commissioned by an Owen who we assume is a descendant of Robert, it looked more like a courtyard than a church to fuddy-duddies like us. But, I suppose that’s the point. Definitely a one of a kind church.

Before we left town we made sure to visit the Harmonist Labyrinth – which is an actual hedge maze, like in fairy tales. Laura, the kids, and I worked our way through it and at the center we were rewarded by entering a small, domed structure that is probably best described as a kind of chapel. Very interesting spirituality, these Harmonists. A great experience walking in their footsteps for a moment.