Old Economy Village facts for kids
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Old Economy
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The Rapp house in Old Economy Village, Pennsylvania.
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 Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | Beaver County, Pennsylvania, USA |
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| Nearest city | Ambridge, Pennsylvania |
| Area | 5 acres (2.0 ha) |
| Built | 1824 |
| Architect | George Rapp and Frederick Reichert Rapp |
| Architectural style | 19th Century German-American |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000644 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHLD | June 23, 1965 |
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Economy Historic District
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Harmony Society church in Old Economy Village
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Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | Old Economy Village roughly bounded by PA 65, 12th, Merchant, and 16th Sts., Ambridge, Pennsylvania |
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| Area | 28 acres (11 ha) |
| Built | 1825 |
| Architect | Harmony Society |
| NRHP reference No. | 85001142 |
| Added to NRHP | May 21, 1985 |
Old Economy Village is a historic settlement in Ambridge, Beaver County, Pennsylvania, United States. It sits on the banks of the Ohio River. Today, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission manages it as a museum.
This village was the last of three communities built by the Harmony Society in the United States. The society founded Old Economy in 1824. In 1966, it became a National Historic Landmark District, recognized for its important history.
Contents
The Harmony Society: A Unique Community
The Harmony Society was a group of Christians who followed a special way of life. They started in Iptingen, Germany, in 1785. Because of religious difficulties with the government and church in Germany, the society moved to the United States between 1803 and 1804.
They bought a large piece of land in Butler County, Pennsylvania. On February 15, 1805, about 400 followers formally created the Harmony Society. They decided to share all their belongings, living in a communal way.
Leaders of the Harmonists
The society was founded and led by Johann Georg Rapp (1757–1847) and his adopted son, Frederick (Reichert) Rapp (1775–1834). The group lasted for about 100 years, from 1805 to 1905. Members were often called Harmonists or Rappites.
The Harmony Society is famous for its success in building three communities. First, they built Harmony, Pennsylvania (1804–1814). Then, they moved to New Harmony, Indiana (1814–1824). Finally, they settled in Economy, which is now Ambridge, Pennsylvania.
Old Economy Village: A Prosperous Settlement
The Harmonists named their final town Economy. This name came from their spiritual idea of the "Divine Economy." Here, under the smart business leadership of Frederick Rapp, the society became very successful.
By 1829, they were major players in the trade and markets of Pittsburgh and along the Ohio River. Some people even thought they had too much control over business. The community also cared about art and culture. Frederick Rapp bought a museum with paintings and interesting old objects. They had a deer park, a flower garden, and a maze. The society also had a good orchestra and loved music.
Challenges and Changes
In 1832, the society faced a big challenge. About 250 of the 750 members left the group. This happened because of disagreements with a man named Bernhard Müller. Many younger members left because they wanted to marry and have families, which the society's rules didn't allow. This event saddened Frederick Rapp, and he passed away two years later.
Even with this split, the society continued to be successful in business for many years. After Frederick Rapp's death in 1834, other leaders took over.
The Harmonist settlements were very good at business. They made many products in their clothing factory, sawmill, and tannery. They also grew grapes for wine and made spirits. The society even produced high-quality silk for clothes.
The Harmonists were hard workers and used the newest technologies in their factories. In Economy, they helped build the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad. They also started a savings bank and a brick factory. They ran an oil company, a planing mill, and a lumber company. They even gave land in Beaver Falls for Geneva College. The society greatly helped the economy of Western Pennsylvania.
The End of the Society
Because the group chose not to marry or have children, their members grew older, and fewer new people joined. They had to hire more outside workers.
The society was richest around 1868, with a lot of money. But by 1890, they were in debt and had very few older members left. They also faced many lawsuits from people claiming to be heirs. J. S. Duss helped win these lawsuits and paid off the society's debts. However, the stress made him resign in 1903. With only a few members remaining, the land and assets were sold. The Harmony Society officially ended in 1906.
In 1916, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania bought 6 acres and 17 buildings of Old Economy. This became the historic site we see today. Other parts of the society's land were bought by the American Bridge Company. This company expanded the town of Ambridge, which was named after them in 1905. Today, much of Ambridge outside Old Economy Village is a historic district listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
George Rapp: The Founder
Johann Georg Rapp (November 1, 1757 – August 7, 1847) was the person who started the religious group called the Harmonists.
Born in Iptingen, Duchy of Württemberg, Germany, Rapp was inspired by different thinkers. In the 1780s, George Rapp began sharing his ideas and soon gathered followers. His group officially separated from the Lutheran Church in 1785 and was soon banned from meeting. Because of the difficulties Rapp and his followers faced, they decided to move to the United States in 1803.
Rapp's religious beliefs were the foundation that kept his community together. This Christian community, which shared everything, became the Harmony Society in America. The Harmony Society built three American towns, became wealthy, and lasted for 100 years.
Moving to America
By 1798, Rapp and his followers had already started to live differently from mainstream society. In a document called the Lomersheimer Declaration, written in 1798, Rapp's followers refused to serve in the military or attend Lutheran schools. When the government began to cause problems for Rapp's followers in 1803, he decided to move the entire group to the United States.
In 1804, Rapp bought a large area of land in Pennsylvania and started his first community. This first community, called 'Harmonie' (Harmony), in Butler County, Pennsylvania, quickly grew to about 800 people and was very profitable. In Harmony, the Harmony Society was created. Its members agreed to share all property, follow Rapp's leadership, and live a life where they chose not to marry or have children.
In 1814, the first town was sold, and the entire community moved west to Indiana. Their new town was also called Harmony. Ten years later, the community moved again, returning to Pennsylvania. They named their new town 'Ökonomie', or Economy. The Indiana settlement was sold to Robert Owen and renamed New Harmony, Indiana.
George Rapp lived the rest of his life in the town of Economy, Pennsylvania. He passed away on August 7, 1847, at 89 years old. The community eventually ended because their rule about not marrying meant no new members were born into the society. Most people outside the group did not want to give up so much to live in a communal society. The society officially ended in 1906. Today, many of their remaining buildings are preserved and open to visitors. The entire village was recognized as a National Historic Landmark District in 1965.
See also
- Zoar, Ohio another Christian community founded in a similar way
