Even though Robert Owen's utopian community never materialized, New Harmony was a center for progressive education and scholarly and scientific research until the Civil War. Owen left the country in 1827, but most of the scientists and educators remained in New Harmony, as did Owen's sons, who made outstanding contributions to the comminity, to the state of Indiana, and the nation. New Harmony became a site for progress in the areas of education, equal rights for women, science, architecture, and the arts. Agriculture has played an important part in the development of New Harmony. From the founding of the town until today farmland has surrounded New Harmony to the east and to the south.
Primary crops grown in the county are corn, soybeans, and wheat.
A port in Mt. Vernon, Indiana, provides shipping transportation for tri-state agricultural goods. The period from the Civil War through the turn of the century was one of new prosperity and commercial growth. The discovery of oil around New Harmony provided the economic catalyst to perpetuate the community until the beginning of the preservation movement in the late 1950s. Many of the large ornate houses in New Harmony were built and the commercial district saw growth and improvement. New Harmony also became known for its fine theatrical performance during this time.