Utopian Robert Owen

More about my sis, Irene:

Her main topic of study for years was Utopian Communities, and their founders. Among her favorites Utopian Robert Owen, the Utopian who bought Harmony, Indiana from the Rappites, and welcomed the members of the Boatload of Knowledge To Indiana. Owen and his son, Robert Dale Owen, along with others, like William Maclure, (known as the "Father of American geology") Changed the town name to New Harmony and established a Utopian Community there.

Owen had revolutionary ideas about community and education: his ideas on the equality of men and women, the ability of each individual in a community having something to share with the community, that everyone had something they could teach or learn, and the currently popular concept, it takes a village to raise children. I've placed a couple of links here to sites with a bit more information, but mayhap Irene will edify us with a few details.

For reasons unknown to me, the New Harmony Community eventually failed, but American Philosopher Paul Tillich was drawn into the ideals of New Harmony. Tillich's ashes are enshrined under a tree in Tillich Park, New Harmony.

Boy! That was a big mouthful, for something I supposedly remember little about. It's all very interesting stuff, and the educators from the Boatload of Knowledge are listed at the site one reaches by clicking on Boatload of Knowledge above. I have always admired Irene's work uncovering the history of Owen and New Harmony. Hope these links get you started on knowing more about Robert Owen, the Boatload of Knowledge, and New Harmony, Indiana. It's great stuff!