Wednesday, January 20, 2010

New Harmony in Contrast






I have posted many pictures of New Harmony Indiana on the blog...one of my favorite places to spend time alone with my camera.

As side of New Harmony that I have never spoken of is the contrast between new and old. Just beyond the small plot of original Rappite graves the secluded historic fabric of New Harmony is torn away and an ultra modern Museum and Art Center stands on the banks of the Wabash River.

However, even the ultra modern building brings one back to the historic heritage of the community. Inside is a detailed scale model of early New Harmony. So when one walks through the doors...one immediately returns to the experiment of the Utopian Society that was founded here in the early 1800's.

So at first sight what seems to stand in opposition to historic reproductions and reclamations...actually comes full circle back to the history of the Rappites and the Owens.

Dan

8 comments:

Heather said...

We have these in our Historical Museum, Dan...just like these of our little old Railroad Town :)

Dan Felstead said...

Heather...I love the scale models...so much time goes into them with such detail. If you have pictures of the train village...I would love to see them. By the way...I don't know what is going on with the pink highlights!????

Dan

Sabrina said...

Wow...that cemetery is spooky and awesome...

Sunny said...

The poor cemetery looks in need of some TLC.
The scale model is fascinating, I could study it for hours. It must have taken a considerable amount of time to build it.
Sunny :)

Cynthia L. H. said...

Wow! You're right...that IS a contrast! Love the scale model...I've always found them fascinating...could stare at the details for hours.
;^)

Dan Felstead said...

Sabrina...a very small cemetery...but very important for the village of New Harmony.

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Sunny...I only captured a very small part of the scale model due to a problem with glass refection...it is really quite detailed.

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Cynthia...thanks....it was like looking at "Old" New Harmony from an airplane!

Dan