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Old Economy Village reopens April 10, 2026
Visits may be scheduled by appointment
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​Old Economy Village has four exciting weeks of summer camps for 2026. Crafting the Past is a sampler camp designed for children ages 9 -12 and explores a different trade or topic each day. Blacksmithing, woodworking, weaving, printing and bee keeping will be featured. This is a one week camp that is being offered two different weeks.
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For a deeper dive into history and the trades we have added two new camps this year for older children ages 12 to 15. The Letterpress League will be exploring letterpress printing, learning how to set type and operate antique printing presses. The Wild Fibers Camp will have campers processing flax and wool, spinning, weaving and sewing a wearable piece of cloth.​​​​​​​​​​​​​
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Please fill out the camp registration forms at the bottom of this page.
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Crafting the Past Camp
This summer, embark on an exciting, hands-on journey through history at our museum’s Crafting the Past Summer Camp! Designed for young learners ages 9 - 12, this week-long half-day immersive program offers the chance to explore traditional crafts, learn valuable skills, and discover the fascinating world of historic trades.
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Throughout the camp, participants will dive into a wide variety of activities, all while learning about the tools, techniques, and hard work that shaped our world. Campers will not only enjoy learning about the history of these crafts, but they will also gain practical experience and develop skills that will serve them for years to come.
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Camp Activities Include:
Blacksmithing and Metalworking: Campers will be introduced to the basics metalworking, using safe, age-appropriate tools to create simple objects. They'll learn the ancient craft of blacksmithing and design their own small projects that showcase their creativity and problem-solving skills.
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Woodworking: Using tools like saws, hammers, and sanders, campers will build a birdhouse inspired by traditional carpentry. They'll gain an understanding of basic woodworking techniques while creating something unique and functional to take home.
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Weaving: Learn how coding was used throughout history in textiles. Campers will weave a rug or neck scarf on a floor loom, code their names, and needle felt a garden critter with sheep wool.
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Printing Press: Step into the shoes of early printers as campers try their hand at using a historic printing press. They'll print their own designs and learn how printing transformed communication and the workforce in centuries past.
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Bee Keeping: Back to nature! Campers will learn about bees and bee keeping. Something the Harmony Society did when they lived in the town of Economy.
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​Whether they’re building with wood, working with metal, or learning about bees, your child will leave this camp with new skills, a deeper appreciation for history, and a sense of accomplishment.
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Camp Details:
Ages: 9-12 years old
Dates: July 20th -24th and July 27th- 31st, 2026
Times: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Location: Old Economy Village
1401 Church Street Ambridge, PA 15003
Cost Nonmembers: $125, $105 multi-youth from same household (enrolled same week)
Cost Members: $100, $80 multi-youth from same household (enrolled same week)
Questions contact Heather Hicks at heathicks@pa.gov or call 724-266-4500 ext. 103
Spaces are limited! Sign up today for a summer full of hands-on fun, learning, and crafting the future—just like those who came before us!
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https://Register for July 20-24
https://Register for July 27-31
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Letterpress League Camp
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Join us for an immersive, weeklong exploration of letterpress printing. The Print Shop at Old Economy Village is an active, working letterpress print shop. Participants in this workshop will learn to set and throw type, design and lock up forms, and to operate our historic and antique printing presses. We will also try making our own linoleum cuts as we explore the artistic application of letterpress methods. After completing basic works in formats both large and small, you will then be taking on a project completely of your own design. This is a focused, intensive, active workshop experience.
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​ Your child will leave this camp with new skills, a deeper appreciation for history, and a sense of accomplishment.
Camp Details:
Ages: 12-15 years old
Dates: July 13th - 17th
Times: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Location: Old Economy Village
1401 Church Street Ambridge, PA 15003
Cost Nonmembers: $125, $105 multi-youth from same household (enrolled same week)
Cost Members: $100, $80 multi-youth from same household (enrolled same week)
Questions contact Heather Hicks at heathicks@pa.gov or call 724-266-4500 ext. 103
Spaces are limited! Sign up today for a summer full of hands-on fun, learning, and crafting the future—just like those who came before us!​​
​https://Register for Camp July 6th-10th​
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Wild Fibers Camp
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This summer, embark on an exciting, hands-on journey through our Wild Fibers Summer Camp! Designed for learners ages 12 - 15, this week-long half-day immersive program offers the chance to explore how clothes were made from the raw sheep wool and flax plant. Camps will wash the wool, dye the wool with natural dyes, card the wool and process the flax. They will spin both and weave the two together to create linsey-woolsey cloth. Campers will finally sew their cloth creation into a wearable unique piece. Other fun activities will be incorporated into the week.
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​ Your child will leave this camp with new skills, a deeper appreciation for history, and a sense of accomplishment.
Camp Details:
Ages: 12-15 years old
Dates: July 13th - 17th
Times: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Location: Old Economy Village
1401 Church Street Ambridge, PA 15003
Cost Nonmembers: $125, $105 multi-youth from same household (enrolled same week)
Cost Members: $100, $80 multi-youth from same household (enrolled same week)
Questions contact Heather Hicks at heathicks@pa.gov or call 724-266-4500 ext. 103
Spaces are limited! Sign up today for a summer full of hands-on fun, learning, and crafting the future—just like those who came before us!​​
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https://Register for Camp July 13th-17th
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Please fill out camp registration form and also the forms for the specific camp and return.