Meet Docey Lewis, New Harmony Friend
I am a weaver, textile designer, and international development consultant whose career has been shaped by creativity, resilience, and a deep commitment to cultural preservation. I grew up in a historic Connecticut home, where a loom in the attic first sparked my fascination with textiles and set me on a lifelong path of craftsmanship and design. Family stories and the places my ancestors lived and worked have always inspired me. My passions are grounded in hands-on learning, self-education, and a belief in cooperation and fairness—values passed down from my ancestors, including the visionary Robert Owen.
My connection to New Harmony began in 1960, when my mother, cousin to Jane Owen by marriage, brought me to the dedication of the Roofless Church. Periodic visits introduced me to my Robert Owen heritage. After my mother’s death in 1983, I completed her decades-long book project on the annotated letters of seven generations of Owen women, many of whom are buried in New Harmony’s Maple Hill Cemetery. This deepened my ties to the town and its history.
In 2003, amidst the chaos of 9/11 and a hectic life commuting to New York City and traveling overseas, I heeded Jane Owen’s invitation to visit New Harmony. During a three-week stay, I decided to upend my East Coast life and move here. Over the past 22 years, I’ve made New Harmony my home. While I continued to work abroad for much of that time, Covid changed my focus. I now have a design studio above Sara’s Wine Bar, my house and garden just blocks away, and family nearby. I’m deeply involved in the community through the Robert Lee Blaffer Foundation, Historic New Harmony, and other organizations. My one-year-old grandson now begins his chapter in this extraordinary town that has shaped so many generations of our family.
Docey Answers our 5 Questions:
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
To live in a small, historic, walkable town filled with creative people and rich in cultural charm. A place where I can call an old house with a cottage garden my home, within walking distance of my studio.
A community close to universities, hospitals, museums, symphonies, diverse restaurants, and an airport—yet far enough away to maintain its tranquility. A place where family can gather, surrounded by a supportive circle of close friends.
To have a home library brimming with favorite books and handmade, story-filled objects collected through my work and travels. A place to relish old memories and create new ones.
A town I can share with those who have never experienced its unique magic. A space to create and find peace, to walk in nature, safely ride a bike, and marvel at a star-filled night sky.
Somewhere quiet, free of traffic—a “thin place” where the ordinary feels closer to the divine.
Which living person(s) do you most admire?
At the top of my list is David Attenborough, whose unmatched passion for the natural world has educated and inspired generations. His work explaining Earth’s living environment, as well as its archaeological and geological past, is unparalleled. Another David I admire is David Korten, my guru during my years in international development. As co-founder of the Positive Futures Network and its quarterly YES! Magazine, he has been a transformative force for positive change worldwide.
I also deeply admire Sam Harris, one of today’s most articulate public intellectuals, probing the mysteries of consciousness and morality. He dismantles dogmas, wields science with precision, and champions mindfulness as a path to ethical living. His calm, non-judgmental voice even guides me on my meditation app—when I remember to use it.
Who are your favorite writers?
Poetry: Pablo Neruda, Mary Oliver, Billy Collins, David Whyte
Humor: Stephen Fry, Bill Bryson, E.B. White, S.J. Perelman, Dorothy Parker
Mystery: Dorothy Sayers
History: William Dalrymple, John Meacham, Doris Kearns Goodwin
Memoir: Christopher Hitchens, John Mortimer, Diana Athill, Khushwant Singh, Jim Harrison, Emily Hahn, May Sarton, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Travel: Bruce Chatwin
Nature: Robert Macfarlane, Jacquetta Hawkes
Spirituality: Joseph Campbell, Joan Chittister, C.S. Lewis, Thomas Merton, Pema Chödrön
Other: Elizabeth Gilbert, Annie Dillard, Eleanor Cooney, Eleanor Perenyi
Who are your heroes in real life?
Two dear friends from my boarding school days who inspire me are Sigourney Weaver, whose groundbreaking work in acting continues to resonate, and Frances Beinecke, a tireless environmental activist and former President of the Natural Resources Defense Council.
I also deeply admire the countless brave young women activists in far-flung places fighting for equality, peace, freedom, and justice. They are artists, writers, educators, students, mothers, actors, filmmakers, scientists and so much more—too numerous to name but endlessly inspiring.
What does the New Harmony Project mean to you?
Since moving to New Harmony, I’ve been an enthusiastic participant in the public readings during the New Harmony Project’s spring workshops. My connection to the NHP deepened through my nearly decade-long service on the Robert Lee Blaffer Foundation board, where I’ve proudly chaired the Grants Committee, which continues to support this invaluable Program.
Meeting young playwrights from diverse backgrounds has been transformative, introducing me to fresh voices and perspectives that deserve to be heard. The NHP is not only a vital part of our community but also a beacon for creative storytelling that resonates far beyond New Harmony.
Last summer, I welcomed writers into my home, offering them a quiet space to work. Their presence infused the house with a vibrant and inspiring energy, and I look forward to continuing this tradition in 2025.