Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Speakman, Esther (fl. 1826) to Martha Richardson

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC06364 Author/Creator: Speakman, Esther (fl. 1826) Place Written: New Harmony, Indiana Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 7 November 1826 Pagination: 2 p.+addr 19 x 30.5 cm Order a Copy

Thanks her for her letter. Discusses Robert Dale Owen's change in the plan of the New Harmony community, so that "every person who joins themselves to the community for the term of five years gives in his or her propity for the use of the community." There is discontent in the community because some are finding it difficult to change their former lifestyle, however disgruntled individuals have left the community. Now "there is more virtue and less immorality among us than in any other town in the known world." "We think before long we shall be able to boast of the best schools in the known world." Her brother's family are well, but Elizabeth sometimes wishes herself back in Philadelphia. Founded in 1825 by Owen's father, the socialist community of New Harmony ended in 1827.

Owen, Robert Dale, 1801-1877

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