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Harmonist Structures
Labyrinth
After the Harmonists
Harmonist Society
Other Links
IUPUI Max Kade German American Center
Historic New Harmony's
Official
Web site
http://www.
newharmony
.org
or
http://www.
newharmonyinfo
.com
University of Southern Indiana
New Harmony Scientists, Educators, Writers & Artists
Harmony Museum,
Harmony, PA, 1st Settlement of the Harmonie Society
Old Economy Village, 3rd Settlement of the Harmonie Society
Labyrinth
The present day Labyrinth, located on Rt. 69 south side of town, was
reconstructed between 1939-41 on the site adjacent to the original
Labyrinth. It is planted in accordance with a Harmony Society plan in
concentric circles of privet hedge leading to a stone temple in the
center.The Harmonists planted labyrinths at each of their three settlements (Harmonie and Old Economy in Pennsylvania and Neu Harmonie in Indiana.) The original Labyrinth in New Harmony was made of bushes, vines and flowering plants and designed as a place of contemplation and meditation for the Harmonists. The route through the maze was not an easy one. For the Harmonists it symbolized the difficult path of life to reach true harmony and perfection. In the center of the Labyrinth was a circular rough log house with a "blind door" opening to an elegant and peaceful interior. When the Harmonists sold the town in 1825 and returned to Pennsylvania, the Labyrinth fell into disrepair and eventually ceased to exist.
The site is open admission-free year round. It is one of the properties of New Harmony State Historic Site.
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Created: 21 September 1998, JAF Supported by an Indiana Heritage Research Grant, A Joint Effort of the Indiana Humanities Council and the Indiana Historical Society Updated: 17 November 2007, BAS Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, University Libraries URL: http://www.ulib.iupui.edu/kade/newharmony/labyrinth.html Comments: Ruth Reichmann, reichman@indiana.edu |
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