Thinking Historically at New Harmony: The Rappites, 1814-1824

Thinking Historically at New Harmony:The Rappites, 1814-1824

Where are we?

On the banks of the Wabash

Walk, listen, look, think

George Rapp--“a large man, seventy years old, whose powers age seems not in the least to have diminished; his blue eyes, overshadowed by strong brows, are full of life and fire” 1826

Harmonist Church

Constitutional elm

Indiana Constitution of 1816

• That all men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God, according to the dictates of their own consciences: That no man shall be compelled to attend, erect, or support any place of Worship, or to maintain any ministry against his consent: That no human authority can, in any case whatever, control or interfere with the rights of conscience: And that no preference shall ever be given by law to any religious societies, or modes of worship; and no religious test shall be required as a qualification to any office of trust or profit.

Scriptural authority, Acts2:44-45

• “and all that believe were together, and had all things common; and sold their possessions and goods and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

Dormitory # 2, 1822

Israeli kibbutz

Celibacy

Harmonist Log Cabins

Cultural migration

Wolf House Brick

Grist mill

Golden Rose trademark

Rapp: “the proper education of Youth is of the greatest importance to the prosperity of any plan for the melioration of mankind.”

Lincoln, December 20, 1859• There were some schools, so called; but no

qualification was ever required of a teacher beyond "readin, writin, and cipherin" to the Rule of Three. If a straggler supposed to understand latin happened to sojourn in the neighborhood, he was looked upon as a wizzard [sic]. There was absolutely nothing to excite ambition for education. Of course when I came of age I did not know much. Still somehow, I could read, write, and cipher to the Rule of Three; but that was all. I have not been to school since.

Labyrinth plan

Indiana Constitution of 1816

• No person or persons conscientiously scrupulous of bearing arms, shall be compelled to do Militia duty

Women. Gender.

One artifact; one primary source

New Harmony Inn

Opera House

The Atheneum

Karl Bodmer’s sketch, 1832