Let's Get Down to Business

I feel like I have been here forever, not just the four days that it is in reality. Jet lag has really done a number on my and I am constantly trying to overcome the exhaustion that I am feeling. Hopefully I will soon be able to rise in the morning without the feeling terrible.

Anyway, on to something a bit more uplifting. So far today, I have had the honor of working with the wonderful tour guides of New Lanark in an effort to create a new tour that focuses on Robert Owen. While there are already two tours in place, each of these only provides an overview of the site, simply skimming over the in-depth details of the previous mill managers.

For this tour, there is a great deal of information to be sifted through and a large number of decisions to be made in regards to logistics. Since I am new to New Lanark, I am primarily present to discuss Robert Owen's life in New Harmony. Even with all my trips to New Harmony, I found that I was a bit fuzzy on the specifics, often getting confused between the aspects brought by George Rapp, those brought by Robert Owen, and the modern additions. Ultimately, though, I was able to create a brief history that began with his discussion and purchase of the land around 1825 and ended with the proclamation of New Harmony as a Utopian failure in 1828. In addition, I brought in information about some of the accomplishments in New Harmony, as well as the impressive accomplishments of Owen's sons.

Jane has been quite busy this week with meetings and applications, so I hope to delve into my work at the beginning of next week. I can't wait to actually get started on a project and see where it takes me over the next five weeks!