Discover Posey County: Nature and History

When planning a stay in Posey County, river and nature experiences and the history of New Harmony offer different points of focus. Along the Wabash River, the scenery along the banks and a state park take center stage; at Hovey Lake, paddling and wildlife viewing are also on offer. In New Harmony, a visitor center, historic buildings, and guided tours reveal a very different side of the trip.

River Landscapes and Experiences on the Water

Harmonie State Park lies on the banks of the Wabash River, 25 miles northwest of Evansville. The Hovey Lake Fish & Wildlife Area is located in the floodplains of the Ohio and Wabash Rivers in Indiana’s far southwestern corner. This sets the banks of the Wabash River apart from the floodplains of the Ohio and Wabash Rivers in Indiana’s far southwestern corner.

At Hovey Lake, you can explore the landscape by paddle. Along the way, you can get a close look at some of Indiana’s few bald cypress trees. The area also offers opportunities for hunting, fishing, and wildlife viewing. There are several activities to choose from, and they each offer a different way to experience the surroundings: paddling puts the lake itself in focus, while wildlife viewing turns your attention to the animals.

New Harmony: Orientation and Guided Tours

The Atheneum Visitor Center serves as a starting point for getting oriented in New Harmony. Visitors can get maps there, along with information about tours and events in town. New Harmony is open to visitors year-round. The Atheneum also has architectural significance: Richard Meier designed the building, which was completed in 1979 and is considered a landmark.

For a concise introduction, the New Harmony Tram Tour is a 45-minute ride through the historic district, with commentary from a guide. It runs Tuesday through Saturday at 10:00 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. Central Time. The New Harmony History Tour lasts two hours and includes tram transportation and access to the interiors of historic buildings and sites. It is offered Tuesday through Sunday at 1:00 p.m. Central Time. The different durations and inclusions can help you choose a tour that fits your schedule; check current times before your visit.

History in the Townscape

The historic buildings and sites of Historic New Harmony tell stories of religious utopianism, Enlightenment science, and communal living. At the Workingmen's Institute, you can trace a specific part of this history: it was founded in 1838 as a model for workers’ self-education. Today, it continues to serve as a library, archive, and museum, and is Indiana’s oldest continuously operated public library.

Reconstructed sites also bring past community activities to life. The Harmonist Bake Oven is a reconstruction of the communal brick ovens the Harmony Society used to bake bread. The Harmonist Garden includes a partially reconstructed Harmonist kitchen and ornamental garden outside the David Lenz House. The Harmonist Orchard was replanted at its original location based on the 1832 Weingartner map. Together, these sites show different aspects of communal life: baking bread, gardening, and cultivating an orchard.

The Maximilian-Bodmer Print Exhibition offers another perspective. It features prints by Swiss artist Karl Bodmer that document the Indigenous peoples of the upper Missouri in the early 19th century. The exhibition extends the story beyond the buildings to another region and era.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Mt Vernon, New Harmony, Madison County, Hendricks, Vigo, Warren County, Newton County, Elkhart.

For the main travel overview: Indiana.