The streets were lined with shades of yellow, red, and orange from the changing leaves of the trees throughout the town. Neighbors waved with a smile and shared simple pleasantries as they passed each other on the street. It was almost like a scene out of a movie, but this was just another day for the people of New Harmony, Indiana.

New Harmony was once home to two different utopian societies that tried to achieve the idea of a perfect society but were never able to get there.  

Students visited this quaint post-utopian town on Oct 25 and 26 with Donna McLean and Chris Buckman to learn about the town’s history and the rise and fall of the two utopias that once inhabited here. 

The group did a variety of activities during the trip. They visited the Working Man’s Institute Museum and Library, walked the Labyrinth, participated in Haunted New Harmony’s Ghost Walk, visited The Atheneum, and spent the night at the New Harmony Inn.

“Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by the trip,” Sawyer Bolding said. “I thought the long drive wasn’t going to be worth the relatively short amount of time we had at New Harmony, but I was happily mistaken.”

He wasn’t the only one that was pleasantly surprised by the outcome. Ben Nicolas, a student that also went on the trip shared his thoughts as well. 

“All things considered, it was my favorite off-campus IUK event of all time,” Nicolas said. “The location was unique and interesting. Ghost tours, museums and a lot in between, it was really a memorable weekend.” 

This trip gave students an opportunity to see what life was like for the people of New Harmony and how it has impacted their lives to this day.

“I was really fascinated with the idea that a lot of the families who helped build the town still have people of their family line living in and being a part of the community,” Bolding said. “A lot of small towns have people who are dying to get out but I think the proud history of the place made it less desirable for the people to leave.”

“Weird little cults were a dime a dozen in the early days of the US but we don’t know much about them so it’s cool to know that they attempted Utopia right here in Indiana,” Nicolas said.

KEY trips give students a chance to step out of their comfort zone and explore a place they have never been to before. The memories and friendships made add to the experience.

“The group was very tight knit and the professors treated us as equals and gave us the latitude to make some unplanned pit-stops,” Nicolas said. “[KEY trips are] one of the best ways to make new friends and what college is all about. It was all paid for, they gave us plenty of time to get days off of work, and it’s just a lot of fun.”

Bolding shared his thoughts as well.

“Getting to know my classmates and making the most of what New Harmony had to offer was a really enjoyable experience,” he said.

New Harmony is just one example of the many trips offered here on campus. If you are interested in learning about more trips in the future, ask your professors today.

“Getting to experience another culture, meet interesting people, and have invaluable experiences is something that every student should take advantage of,” Bolding said.