Old Economy Village

The Visitor Center’s Orientation exhibit, “Preparing for Eternity: The Life of the Harmony Society”, tells the story of the Harmony Society. The town of Economy, located in modern-day Ambridge, was the home of a religious communal society that came to America to freely-practice its religion. The Harmony Society signed the Articles of Agreement on February 15, 1805, in nearby Harmony, Pennsylvania. The group settled in Economy in 1824.

The new exhibit traces the history of this prosperous group of people from its origins in Württemberg, in modern-day Germany, to America until the Society closed in 1905. The Harmonists played an instrumental part in the development of Pittsburgh, and surrounding regions.
Their industries included the manufacture of wool, cotton, and silk textiles, as well as the production of wine, beer, and other beverages. The financial investments ranged far and wide, from railroads and river travel, to coal, oil, and timber production. The Harmony Society also established the town of Beaver Falls with all if its businesses, and attracted Geneva College to re-establish itself in Beaver County. This exhibit offers a great look into the lives and stories of this interesting group.

John Hartmann of the Commonwealth Conservation Center works on the
restoration of the mural depicting the Harmony Society. The 18' high mural
was painted in 1934 by Richard Hay Kenah. It was donated to Old Economy
Village by the Ambridge Area School District and was originally located in
the auditorium of the Ambridge Park Road School. It will be a focal point
in the new Visitor Center.

Old Economy Village is a six-acre National Historic Landmark administered by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission since 1919. The historic site has never had a facility designed strictly to accommodate the needs of the modern visitor to the past. The new 22,000 sq. ft. building will contain education rooms, an orientation theater, and orientation exhibit and changing exhibit spaces, a research library and archives, museum store, staff offices, and artifact storage space.

Designed by Susan Maxman Partners of Philadelphia, the energy-efficient building, utilizing geothermal heating and cooling systems, is constructed of brick and siding to reflect typical elements of Harmonist architecture, including espaliered grape vines, and to fit harmoniously into the Historic District neighborhood that contains over 80 original Harmonist houses dating from the 1820s. The entire building will be handicapped accessible and will include on-site parking and bus drop-off area.

For more information on Old Economy Village, one of 26 historic sites and museums on the Pennsylvania Trail of History, visit the PA PowerPort at www.state.pa.us or directly at www.phmc.state.pa.us or call (724) 266-4500.