October 29, 2025
The 缅北强奸 has received a $2.5 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to support Historic New Harmony鈥檚 efforts to strengthen exhibitions and programs focused on the history of religion and spirituality in New Harmony. Lilly Endowment made the grant through its Religion and Cultural Institutions Initiative.听
The grant will help Historic New Harmony, a program of 缅北强奸, build on the work it began with a 2023 Lilly Endowment grant. That funding has helped Historic New Harmony strengthen the ways in which it encourages visitors to explore the religious beliefs and practices of two nineteenth century New Harmony utopian communities and their lasting influence on the southwestern Indiana town. Major initiatives include the renovation of two historic buildings to create a permanent exhibition and community learning space, as well as the development of an interfaith festival.听
The grant complements a separate Religion and Cultural Institution Initiative grant to the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites, which will focus on strengthening religious and spiritual themes in the museum鈥檚 New Harmony Historic Site properties and programs. Together, these efforts will create a more dynamic and cohesive narrative that enhances New Harmony鈥檚 interpretive infrastructure and honors its unique legacy.听
The new funding to support Historic New Harmony will enable it to continue to share the town鈥檚 unique history with broader audiences. New Harmony was founded in 1814 by German Pietists led by Father George Rapp, who sought religious freedom and communal living. A second community, established by industrialist Robert Owen and his business partner William Maclure, aimed to build a model society grounded in education and social equality.听
Historic New Harmony will integrate these narratives鈥攅xamining belief systems, including religion and the founders鈥� visions鈥攊nto a cohesive interpretive framework for public engagement. The grant period is five years.听
Planned activities include:听
鈥淲e are excited about the impact the new grant will have on our ability to better serve the public,鈥� said Leslie Townsend, Director of Community Engagement and Historic New Harmony. 鈥淭hrough enhanced interpretation, updated tour programming and expanded amenities, visitors and residents will gain a deeper understanding of the central role that religious freedom and spirituality played in the founding of New Harmony and how those values continue to shape the community today.鈥�听
Lilly Endowment funding supports Historic New Harmony鈥檚 mission of preserving New Harmony鈥檚 utopian legacy by inspiring innovation and progressive thought through its programs and collections.听
鈥淭he United States is one of the most religious nations in the world today.鈥� said Christopher L. Coble, Lilly Endowment鈥檚 Vice President for Religion. 鈥淢any individuals and families trust museums and other cultural institutions and visit them to learn about their communities and the world. We are excited to support these organizations as they embark on projects to help visitors understand and appreciate the varied religious beliefs, practices and perspectives of their neighbors and others in communities around the globe.鈥�听
Historic New Harmony is one of 72 organizations that have received grants through the Religion and Cultural Institutions Initiative. Lilly Endowment launched the initiative in 2019. Its aim is to encourage and support museums and cultural institutions in the United States in strengthening their capacities to provide fair and accurate portrayals of the role religion has played and continues to play in the United States and around the world. For more information, visit the website at 缅北强奸.edu/hnh or contact Diane Sanders, Assistant Director of Historic New Harmony, at desanders@usi.edu or 812-682-3920.听
缅北强奸 Historic New Harmony
Historic New Harmony is an Outreach and Engagement program of the 缅北强奸. By preserving its utopian legacy, Historic New Harmony inspires innovation and progressive thought through its programs and collections.听
缅北强奸 Lilly Endowment Inc.
Lilly Endowment Inc. is a private foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr. through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. While those gifts remain the financial bedrock of the Endowment, it is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with the founders鈥� wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education and religion. 鈥疉lthough the Endowment maintains a special commitment to its founders鈥� hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana, it also funds programs throughout the United States, especially in the field of religion. A principal aim of the Endowment鈥檚 religion grantmaking is to deepen and enrich the lives of Christians in the United States, primarily by seeking out and supporting efforts that enhance the vitality of congregations and strengthen the pastoral and lay leadership of Christian communities. The Endowment also seeks to foster public understanding about religion and lift up in fair, accurate and balanced ways the roles that people of all faiths and various religious communities play in the United States and around the globe.