Brent Glass gives public lecture on New Harmony, one of “50 Great American Places”

Brent Glass, director emeritus of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, the world’s largest museum devoted to telling the story of America, will give a lecture about his new book “50 Great American Places” at the Atheneum in New Harmony, Indiana, (401 N. Arthur Street) at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 10. The lecture, which is free and open to the public, will conclude with a book signing by Glass. Books will be available for purchase at the event.

Glass is a leader in preserving and interpreting American History and has been a speaker and advisor on public memory, cultural diplomacy and museum management. Over the years, Glass traveled extensively through all 50 states, and compiled his favorite fifty places in America into one book that serves as a one-of-a-kind guide to culturally significant historical sites.

“I came to know and love American history by visiting historic places, seeing the real thing, seeing something that’s authentic, had great meaning for me. To stand at a historic site or before a great work of architecture or a great historical landmark is a powerful connection for me to stories about people, and places and events,” Glass said. “I wrote this book with the idea of inspiring people to visit these places, and to experience them, explore American History first hand and discover some of the important ideas and themes that have shaped American history.”

Glass begins the book with the National Mall, followed by a number of great American places in chronological order according to “when each site achieved its greatest significance.” New Harmony is listed as the sixteenth place on the list and the only place listed in the state of Indiana. He gives the history of the two utopian communities that were the foundation of New Harmony’s legacy.

For more information on the lecture, please contact Erin McCracken Merris at emccracken@usi.edu or 812-682-4488.