Harmony Historic District facts for kids
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Harmony Historic District
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Harmony Society building in Harmony, Pennsylvania, built in 1809.
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 Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | PA 68, Harmony, Pennsylvania |
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| Area | 17 acres (6.9 ha) |
| Built | 1804 |
| Architect | George Rapp and Frederick Reichert Rapp |
| Architectural style | 19th Century German-American |
| NRHP reference No. | 73002139 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | March 21, 1973 |
| Designated NHLD | May 30, 1974 |
The Harmony Historic District is a special place in Harmony, Pennsylvania, Butler County, Pennsylvania, USA. It shows us what life was like for the first people who settled here in the early 1800s. This area was once home to a unique group called the Harmony Society. They built many of the buildings you can still see today. This historic district was recognized as a National Historic Landmark District in 1974 because of its important history.
Contents
Discovering the Harmony Historic District
The Harmony Historic District covers about 17 acres. It includes a two-block area in the heart of modern Harmony. This area stretches from German Road north to Conoquenessing Creek, between Liberty and Wood Streets. Many buildings from the original settlement period are still standing here.
Who Were the Harmony Society?
The Harmony Society was a group of people who wanted to live a certain way. They were founded in 1785 in what is now Germany by Johann Georg Rapp. This group believed in sharing everything. They worked together for the good of their community.
Their Journey to America
The Harmony Society faced challenges in Germany. So, Rapp and his followers decided to move to North America. In 1804, they bought land in Butler County, Pennsylvania. About 200 families then founded the town of Harmony in 1805.
Life in Harmony
The Harmonists created a special community. They shared all their property and followed their leader, George Rapp. The community grew very successfully. By 1814, about 700 people lived in Harmony.
However, the Harmonists decided to move again. Rapp's son, Frederick, started a new settlement in the Indiana Territory. This new place is now called New Harmony, Indiana. Later, they moved back to Pennsylvania. They settled in a town called Economy in 1825. The Harmony Society eventually ended as an organization in 1905.
What You Can See Today
Even though the Harmony Society moved, their first settlement remains. The historic district still has the original street layout. Many of the buildings they built are also still standing. Most of these buildings are made of brick.
Historic Buildings
The district includes ten important buildings and one historic site. Some of the main buildings you can see are:
- The George Rapp House
- The Great House or Bentle Building (built around 1811)
- The Langenbacher House (built around 1805)
- The Harmonist Church (built in 1808)
- The "Stohr"
- The Beam Hotel
- The Frederick Rapp House
- The Schmitt House
- The Jacob Neff House (built around 1807)
- The Schreiber House
- The Wagner House
- The Mueller House
The Harmonist Cemetery
The original Harmonist Cemetery is also part of the district. It holds the unmarked graves of about 100 early Harmonists. This cemetery reminds us of the first people who lived and worked in this unique community.
