When William Maclure became actively interested in the Owen experiment in communal living, he interested several Philadelphians in accompanying him to New Harmony. Thomas Say, Charles A. Lesueur and Gerard Troost joined him and lived in Indiana for several years. They expected to be given a chance to earn a living, study in peace and quiet and to educate their fellows. When Thomas Say died, Maclure having already moved to Mexico, Lucy Say returned to her home in New York City, Lesueur to France and Troost removed to Tennessee.

Because Academy members were so closely associated with New Harmony, the series of photographs is preserved to keep alive the memory of the institution's early interest in education.