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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1924 Centennial Parade - float with ladies spinning

people, Photograph, Historic clothing, spinning, Postcard

Women spinning on a float in the 1924 Centennial Parade

1924 Centennial Parade - Hay wagon with unidentified people

historic clothing, Photograph, Old timer

3 unidentified men and one unidentified woman riding on a hay wagon in the Centennial parade. The focus on this image is poor.

1924 Centennial - people in historic costume

Old timer, Photograph, historic clothing

Mary Fruth, August Froesch, Christiana Knoedler, Mrs. Fred. Knoedler, John S. Duss, Fred Knoedler Sr. Identified on back of picture by Charles Basharr.

1924 Centennial - Unidentified men in historic costume

building, Photograph, people, historic clothing

Men in top hats. Feast Hall and Rapp House in the background. This image is from the 1924 Centennial.

1924 Centennial - Unidentified people

people, Photograph, historic clothing, building

People in historic costume getting wine, behind Feast Hall. This image is from the 1924 Centennial.

The 5 Breitenstein "Girls" 1953

Old timer

Laura Morrison seated in chair. Martha Larson seated on the arm of the chair. Back (l to r): Francis McKee, Charlotte Breitensten, Alice Allen Ca 1953

Adoration Painting

art, Photograph, building interior, musical instrument

Also shows 2 covered pianos, wallpaper. Trustees room in the Rapp House.

Agnes

people, Photograph

Photo from Ott - May Family Collection

Agnes

people, Photograph

On back: three today. no further identification

A.I. Stewart, Rev. Vieth, and Mr. Lawrence Thurman

people, Photograph

at Harmony, PA

Alice Breitenstein Allen

Old Timer

Daughter of William and Linnie Breitenstein, who ran the store

Alice Ott McClure

Old Timer, Photograph

daughter of William Edward Ott, granddaughter of Elizabeth Ott

Alice Ott McClure

historic clothing, Photograph, Old Timer

Daughter of William Ott, Granddaughter of Elizabeth Breitenstein Ott

All Three Economy schools

building, Photograph

Note on back: Three old school bldgs in 4th ward Ambridge, PA. All three of these school houses were built and used. The first school house to the right was built by the Blaine family and was moved to this location from the flat land at 1st. St Ambridge. The school house in center was built by the Harmony Society (1887)? 1884. The school house with flag flying was built 1904 by Harmony Society. Harmony Society was Harmony Twsp. (sic)