Thrall's Opera House, New Harmony, Indiana

Known as Harmonists, society members built three towns: Harmony (1804-1814), along the Connoquenessing River in Butler County, Pennsylvania; New Harmony (1814-1824) along the Wabash River in Southern Indiana; and Economy (1824-1906), along the Ohio River in Pennsylvania near Pittsburg. Several hundred members of the religious communal society emigrated with their leader, Johann 'George' Rapp (1757-1847), from Württemberg in the Rhineland, to America between 1803 and 1804. From 1805, until the society's legal dissolution in 1906, the Harmonists amassed considerable wealth in preparation for the coming new heaven and earth.

When originally constructed by the Harmonists, this building served as a communal dormitory for the single men in Father George Rapp's religous society. At that time, it was known as Rooming House 4. After the Harmonists sold New Harmony to Robert Owen in January 1825, it became a community building where lectures, dances and other social activities were held. It was known as the Union Hall in 1859 when it was purchased by the Dramatic Association and became the second largest theatre and ballroom in Indiana.

Eugene S. Thrall bought and improved the building in 1888, adding the front facade, cherry paneling, arches over the windows and door and a curved balcony. Serving primarily as a theatre until 1910, the structure was turned into a gas station in 1914. Double doors were installed in front to accommodate cars, the backstage area served as a grease pit and the balcony was used as auto parts storage. Purchased by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources in 1964, the structure underwent major renovations.

Today, Thrall's Opera House hosts weddings, lectures, musical programs, small conferences, and balls. A grand piano sits on the deep stage in the main room where once automobiles sat, waiting to be repaired.

Taken with my Sony Alpha a230 DSLR and converted to black and white.