Descendant's Day at Old Economy Village

Old Economy Village in Ambridge, Pennsylvania is bringing together descendants of the Harmony Society on June 13, 2020 for Descendants’ Day. If you think you may be a descendant of this group or its hired workers, you may be interested in attending Descendants’ Day to meet other descendants.  Even if you are not a descendant and are interested, you may attend as a registered participant.  Contact Sarah Buffington at Old Economy Village to find out more information at (724) 266-4500, ext. 111 or at sbuffingto@pa.gov.
 
The Harmony Society was a group of people who came to America from Württemberg, Germany in the early nineteenth century. The Society followed its leader George Rapp to pursue religious freedom.  First settling in Harmony, Pennsylvania, the Society moved to New Harmony, Indiana, and then to Economy, Pennsylvania.  After the Harmony Society closed in 1905, Economy became a part of Ambridge.
 
In the tradition of “Old Timers Reunions” of long ago, the day will include tours of the historic site and church, a picnic in the garden and, a show-and-tell of items brought by descendants.  A larger reunion will be held during Economy and Ambridge’s Bicentennial in 2024.
 
Old Economy Village is a gemstone site of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. Old Economy Village interprets the history of the Harmony Society, a highly successful nineteenth century religious communal society, and preserves and interprets the unique material culture of the Society during its period of residence in Beaver County, Pennsylvania for citizens of and visitors to the Commonwealth.  Old Economy Village was the heart of the Harmony Society’s home from 1824 until the commune was dissolved in 1905.  Old Economy Village is administered by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission in partnership with the Friends of Old Economy Village.  It is part of Ambridge’s Old Economy National Historic Landmark and is among the region’s most important historic sites.