LAST- Workingmen's Library in Indiana ~ New Harmony, IN
Posted by: 
YoSam.
N 38° 07.722 W 087° 56.174
16S E 417944 N 4220508
Full service library in a Utopian town
Waymark Code: WMN357
Location: Indiana, United States
Date Posted: 12/17/2014
Views: 4
County of library: Posey County
Location of library: 407 W. Tavern St., New Harmony
Phone: (812) 682-4806
Library started: 1838
Current building built: 1894
Indiana Historic Bureau Marker on site :
Side one:
William Maclure and other intellectuals came to New Harmony 1826 to join Robert Owen's utopian experiment. Maclure established the Workingmen's Institute 1838 to serve as model of self-education for laborers. Operated in various New Harmony sites until construction of this Romanesque style building 1894.
Side two:
This is the last remaining workingmen's library of 144 in 89 Indiana counties sponsored by Maclure's bequest. It still serves as library, archives, and museum and is oldest continuously operating public library in the state. Part of National Historic Landmark Historic District designated 1966.