| Creator: | Indiana University Center for the Study of History and Memory |
| Title: | History of New Harmony, Indiana |
| Collection No.: | ohrc049 |
| Dates: | 1977 |
| Quantity: |
Quantity: 8 Interviews (Audio files, transcripts, and collateral materials ) |
| Abstract: | The interviews in this collection primarily address New Harmony in the early twentieth century. The interviewees discuss the Centennial celebration, 1913 Flood, Murphy lecture series, and the impact of religion in the community. Throughout the collection, knowledge is shared of the early Rappite and Owen communities, particularly in regards to changes in the community as they relate to the historic preservation movement. |
| Location: | Interviews are housed in Franklin Hall, Room 0030A. Contact ohrc@indiana.edu for more information. Copies of interview transcripts are also held by the IU Libraries University Archives. For other locations housing the interviews from this project, please contact the Center for Documentary Research and Practice office. |
| Language: | Materials are in English |
| Repository: | Center for Documentary Research and Practice Franklin Hall 0030B 601 E. Kirkwood Avenue Bloomington, Indiana 47405 Business Number: 812-855-2856 ohrc@indiana.edu URL: https://cdrp.mediaschool.indiana.edu/ |
This collection contains eight interviews conducted in 1977. The interviews range from 50 to 115 minutes. All interviews consist of audio tapes and typed transcripts, as well as collateral materials.
The archive of the Center for Documentary Research and Practice at Indiana University is open to the use of researchers. Copies of transcript pages are available only when such copies are permitted by the deed of gift. Scholars must honor any restrictions the interviewee placed on the use of the interview. Since some of our earlier (pre-computer) transcripts do not exist in final form, any editing marks in a transcript (deletions, additions, corrections) are to be quoted as marked. Audio files may not be copied for patrons unless the deed of gift permits it, and a transcript is unavailable for that interview. The same rules of use that apply to a transcript apply to the audio interview. Interviews may not be reproduced in full for any public use, but excerpted quotes may be used as long as researchers fully cite the data in their research, including accession number, interview date, interviewee's and interviewer's name, and page(s).
[interviewee first name last name] interview, by [interviewer first name last name], [interview date(s)], [call number], [project name], Center for Documentary Research and Practice, Indiana University, Bloomington, [page number(s) or tape number and side if no transcript; if digital audio and no transcript, cite time when quote occurs].
Oral history interviews conducted by the Indiana University Center for the Study of History and Memory from 1968 to the present, with particular focus on the history of twentieth-century America and the Midwest.
No(s): 77-040
Physical Description: 26 pages; 1 tape, 1 7/8 ips, 65 minutes; no index
Scope and Content Note: Raymond Cox, born 1896, grew up in the New Harmony area, and remained there most of his life. He speaks about becoming a school teacher, enlisting in the Air Corps during World War I, and selling automobiles. He discusses the decline of the automobile business during the Great Depression and World War II, and the alternative employment he worked, such as constructing outhouses and being a town trustee.
Indexed Terms:
Access Status: Open
No(s): 77-036
Physical Description: 41 pages; 2 tapes, 1 7/8 ips, 100 minutes; no index
Scope and Content Note: Dorothy, born 1899, and Mildred Donald, born 1898, both grew up in New Harmony, Indiana, before pursuing teaching careers and moving away. They speak not only about their education, but also the education and teaching of their students. They discuss their religious background and the influence of religion on the community. They believe changes in the town, such as the emphasis on preservation, have allowed the community to survive.
Indexed Terms:
Access Status: Open
No(s): 77-035
Physical Description: 44 pages; 1 tape, 1 7/8 ips, 105 minutes; index
Scope and Content Note: Helen Elliott, born 1893, grew up in New Harmony and was a history teacher in Indianapolis for many years before returning to the town. She discusses her early life, particularly education, teaching, and religion. She knows much of the religious influence in New Harmony and discusses its changes through the years. She fondly recalls the influential people in her childhood and the emphasis they placed on intellectual pursuits. While she was teaching in Indianapolis, she became involved in the New Harmony Memorial Commission. After her return to New Harmony in the nineteen forties, she continued her involvement in the history and preservation of the town, and discusses it in detail.
Indexed Terms:
Access Status: Open
No(s): 77-034
Physical Description: 48 pages; 1 tape, 1 7/8 ips, 115 minutes; no index
Scope and Content Note: Almah and Harry Glump, both born 1894, lived in New Harmony, Indiana all of their lives. They speak about the town in the early twentieth century in regards to recreational activities, education, and their various jobs. They also describe the importance and influence of the various religions. Much discussion is given to the restoration of the town, and both the positive and negative effects it has had on population, business, and tourism.
Indexed Terms:
Access Status: Open
No(s): 77-039
Physical Description: 39 pages; 1 tape, 1 7/8 ips, 90 minutes; no index
Scope and Content Note: Alvin, born 1897, and Geraldine Johnson, born 1898, were long time residents of New Harmony, Indiana. They recall the early twentieth century living in a small town. Their discussion concentrates on social activities, religion, education, and the effects of historic preservation on the viability of the town. They also describe the 1913 Flood, the Great Depression, and the oil boom of the early nineteen forties.
Indexed Terms:
Access Status: Open
No(s): 77-041
Physical Description: 20 pages; 1 tape, 1 7/8 ips, 50 minutes; no index; photograph
Scope and Content Note: Mary Kuykendall, born 1887, moved to New Harmony, Indiana just prior to her marriage in 1906. She discusses early recreational activities and the role of religion in the town and her life. She speaks about the horrific 1913 Flood and the well-received Centennial celebration the following year.
Indexed Terms:
Access Status: Open
No(s): 77-037
Physical Description: 32 pages; 1 tape, 1 7/8 ips, 75 minutes; no index; photograph
Scope and Content Note: Anne Mathas and Frances Stallings, twins born 1892, grew up in New Harmony, Indiana. They discuss their early education, religious background, and the social events of the early twentieth century. Particularly memorable were the Murphy lectures and the Centennial celebration. They speak about changes in the community and the influence of the restoration movement.
Indexed Terms:
Access Status: Open
No(s): 77-038
Physical Description: 38 pages; 1 tape, 1 7/8 ips, 90 minutes; index
Scope and Content Note: Foster Tolliver, born 1921, grew up in Posey County, Indiana, but did not move to New Harmony until after World War II. He was a local businessman and town councilman for many years before becoming mayor. He discusses many of the public works projects he was involved with during this period. Some, such as the Sanitary Sewer System, were successful, but others, such as the installation of water meters, met stiff opposition and failed. He describes the benefit of historic preservation in terms of tourism and increased land values, but feels the town has been in a general decline since World War II.
Indexed Terms:
Access Status: Open