The text is about Robert Owen’s attempt to create a utopian community in New Harmony, Indiana, in 1825. He aimed to build a co-operative society based on equality, education, and shared labour. Despite early enthusiasm, the community struggled due to lack of skills and leadership, eventually dissolving. Although the experiment failed, it influenced future social and educational reforms.

This exhibition panel is from the ‘Robert Owen Utopian Legacy Exhibition’, originally held at Newtown Library in May of 2025, on the life and legacy of Robert Owen (1771-1858) the philanthropic Welsh Business & Social Entrepreneur and pioneer of infant education and the co-operative movement.