Old Economy Village - Archives

About This Collection

The Harmonists, a Christian Communal society, founded Old Economy Village in 1824. They were known for their piety, as well as for their economic successes in textile manufacturing, including silk production, and later in the oil and railroad industries. Old Economy Village in Ambridge, PA is the home of a great deal of information about the Harmony Society and life in general in the nineteenth century. Major topics covered by the archives and library include music, architecture, religion, business, photographs, and more.

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13th Street with Church Steeple in background

street, Photograph, building

Before Conservatory of Lord and Burnham Shows fence with diamond pattern

14th Street

street, Photograph, building

Looking toward the Ohio River On right: Feast Hall, Mechanics Building, Store and Baker House On left Fredrick Rapp House and Stone wall

14th Street

Photograph

Used Ambridge 100 Years Looking toward the Ohio River. Shows Feast Hall, Mechanic Building, Sore and Baker House. Also shows electric street light.

14th Street

street, Photograph, building

Feast Hall, Mechanics Building, Store, Baker House On Back: S.W. side of street. S.W. side of Music Hall, Tailor Shop, Society Store, House !4th Street looking toward the river.

14th Street aka Lover's Lane

street, Photograph

14th Street; also shows slat fence

14th Street aka Lover's Lane

street, Photograph

Lover's Lane (so-called by outsiders) 14th Street, Economy. Looking eastward. Shows slat fence.

14th Street aka Lover's Lane

street, Photograph

So-called Lover's Lane now 14th Street, East of the Belt Line Railroad. Apple trees planted in the 1870's to replace a row of mulberry trees east of the silk factory and 14th Street. Also shows 6 unidentified people and slat fence.

14th Street aka Lover's Lane

street, Photograph

Handwritten at bottom: Lover's Lane Now 14th Street. Shows slat fence

14th Street aka Lover's Lane

street, Photograph

Now 14th Street. Shows slat fence.

14th Street aka Lover's Lane

people, Photograph, street

Also shows unidentified woman on a bench (14th street)

14th Street aka Lover's Lane

people, Photograph, street

also shows 6 unidentified people and slat fence ( now 14th Street)

14th Street aka Lover's Lane - B&W Postcard

Postcard, street, Photograph

Printed at bottom: Lover's Lane Message: Dear Sister, How are you these nice days? Mud up to the knees here. With love from Hannah Do you recognize the place? Address:Mrs Louis von Guntun, Fair Oaks, Allegheny County, Pa.

14th Street aka Lover's Lane - Color Postcard

Postcard, street, Photograph

Color faded. Printed at bottom Lover's lane, Economy now Ambridgek Pa. So-called Lover's Lane now 14th street, East of the Belt Line Railroad. Apple trees planted in the 1870's to replace a row of mulberry trees east of the silk factory on 14th street.

14th Street aka Lover's Lane -- Litho-Chrome Postcard

Postcard, Photograph, street

So-called Lover's Lane now 14th Street, East of the Belt Line Railroad. Apple trees planted in the 1870's to replace a row of mulberry trees east of the silk factory on 14th Street.

14th Street aka Lover's Lane Postcard

Postcard, Photograph, street

Printed on bottom: Lovers Lave, Economy, Pa. Handwritten on roadway "turns to Kroll's" on bottom: Mind when we used to steal apples here. He!Ha! On back: Address: Miss Lydia Beichling, Turtle Creek, Allegheny Co., Pa. Message: Aug 7/'09, Dear Lydia, Rec'd your letter and was sorry you couldn't come up but hope to see you some other time. I am glad you are getting a position and hope it will last. Dear Lydia, will you please ask your mama if she will send me the name and number of the pattern (5-gore skirt) She had it on the day she was here.