Old Economy

Also known as: Old Economy Village
NE of Pittsburgh on PA 65, Ambridge, Pennsylvania

Photo

RappHouseOldEconomyPA

By Leepaxton at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=16997297

Map

Coordinates:
+40.59602, -80.23264
40°35'46" N, 80°13'58" W

Quadrangle map:
Ambridge

Description

The town of Old Economy was founded in 1824 by the Harmony Society, a religious society led by George Rapp. The frame buildings around the perimeter of the town were built first and occupied during the construction of the more permanent structures in the center of the town. The last members of the Society died out around 1905, the property was sold off, and not until 1938 under the direction of architect, Charles M. Stotz, did restoration work start. -- Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS PA-1176)

National Register information

Status: Posted to the National Register of Historic Places on October 15, 1966
Reference number: 66000644
Areas of significance: Commerce; Religion; Social History
Level of significance: National
Evaluation criteria: A - Event; B - Person
Property type: District
Historic functions: Village site; Religious structure; Manufacturing facility
Current function: Museum
Periods of significance: 1900-1924; 1875-1899; 1850-1874; 1825-1849
Significant years: 1825; 1905
Number of properties: Contributing buildings: 17

Update Log

November 19, 2018: New photo from Bill Eichelberger

Sources

HABS PA-612 - Economy Feast Hall
HABS PA-613 - Economy Tailor Shop & Wine Cellar
HABS PA-627 - Economy Meetinghouse
HABS PA-1176 - Economy Town Plan
Bill Eichelberger - wallyum [at] hotmail [dot] com
National Register database - Reference number 66000644 (Search for documents)
National Historic Landmark information