A $2.5 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites will pay for "a multi-year transformation" at the New Harmony State Historic Site, according to the state museum.
Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites reported that Lilly Endowment awarded a separate $2.5 million grant to support Historic New Harmony, a program of the University of Southern Indiana.
“We’re grateful to Lilly Endowment for funding these two projects and allowing both institutions to work to better serve the community,” said Cathy Ferree, president and CEO of the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites. “This gives us an opportunity at the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites to utilize our knowledge and expertise in producing authentic, visitor-centered experiences to highlight our site and capture the spirit of New Harmony.”
The transformation project at the New Harmony State Historic Site is still in development and is expected to be completed in 2028.
The state museum said that project "will create dynamic, one-of-a-kind experiences that center around engaging visitors with the spiritual aspects of New Harmony."
According to the state museum, the centerpiece will be an "enhanced interpretive experience at Community House No. 2 that will incorporate interactive technology to reveal unique stories about the town’s past."
Renovations inside Community House No. 2 will also support dedicated spaces for public events and programs, private archives and administration. The project also will include new immersive art experiences at the Thrall’s Opera House, Scholle House and Harmonist Labyrinth.
“The changes to New Harmony State Historic Site will bring new experiences that invite visitors to come and dive into New Harmony’s stories,” said Kelley Morgan, site manager for New Harmony State Historic Site. “I am excited to provide a new and different way for the community and our visitors to interact with this unique location.”
The Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites stated it will use part of the grant "to support the collection and care of artifacts that reflect Indiana’s religious history throughout the museum and at historic sites statewide."
Visitors can go to IndianaMuseum.org for tour times at the New Harmony State Historic Site and other information and to purchase admission.
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