Old Economy Village

Description

Old Economy Village interprets the history of the Harmony Society, a highly successful 19th century religious communal society.

The Harmonites named their town Economy, after the spiritual notion of the Divine Economy. Here they enjoyed such prosperity that by 1829 they dominated the trade and the markets of Pittsburgh and down the Ohio River. One of the community's leaders, Frederick Rapp (1775–1834) established a museum, containing fine paintings and many curios and antiquities; the village also had a deer park, a floral park and a maze; they also had a good orchestra, were fond of music and gave much attention to its cultivation. Internal, legal and financial issues would later cause the community to end around 1905.

Today the village is a three-dimensional museum and a National Historic Landmark site administered by the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission.

Hours of operation

Tuesday - Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, Noon to 5:00 p.m.

Parking

The visitor center has a parking lot.