Page 44 - Demo

42Working Men%u2019s Institute It was a hot July afternoon when we crossed the threshold of New Harmony%u2019s Working Men%u2019s Institute (WMI). We had made an appointment several days earlier, so Manager Frank Smith was expecting us, and greeted us by name as we lumbered in with our photography gear. The Board of Directors had given John and I permission to visit the attic, and had told Frank that he%u2019d need to accompany us. But, with it being a tourist-season weekend, he%u2019d also need to be available to other visitors. As the only staff person on duty, he apologized about having to divide his attention as circumstances dictated.During a lull, when he could safely focus on us, Frank led us up the rarely used steps leading to the attic. Following closely behind, John and I grew increasingly eager to discover what hidden treasures awaited. This old and most noble institution just had to have neat stuff%u2014all stored out of sight%u2014up here, under the rafters.Founded in 1838, with a generous endowment by William Maclure (a wealthy factory-owner and a member of Robert Owen%u2019s utopian experiment), the Working Men%u2019s Institute has always had a singular purpose%u2014%u201cthe diffusion of useful knowledge%u201d to the laboring classes. Maclure was so dedicated to this end that, eventually, 144 other WMIs were established throughout the state%u2014but this was the only one left.Today, the New Harmony Working Men%u2019s Institute is housed in an 1894 Romanesque brick structure with a requisite tower. It contains the oldest continuously operating library in the state. The first floor contains a wing for modern books, and a Attic (Working Men%u2019s Institute), New Harmony%u2014Posey Co. (580-14) Attic (Working Men%u2019s Institute), New Harmony%u2014Posey Co. (580-10)