On Friday, June 27th through Sunday, June 29th Historic Harmony and Old Economy Village are
co-hosting the first reunion for descendants of members of the utopian Harmony Society who left the commune over 176 years ago. While the reunion is designed to bring together descendants of those who left, the event is open to the general public. Registration is $150 per person, and includes admission to Historic Harmony and Old Economy Village, a reception, workshops, two lunches, a homemade German dinner in the Harmonist’s church, and a concert by the Old Economy 1830 Orchestra and the Old Economy Singers. Pre-registration and prepayment are necessary and will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, or to register, please contact the site at (724)266-4500, ext. 101.

The Harmony Society was a religious communal group which emigrated from Duchy of Wurttemburg (Germany) in 1804, first settling in Butler County, and there building the community of Harmony along the Connoquenessing Creek. During the winter of 1832, after building their third and final home, Economy, on the Ohio River and eighteen miles north of Pittsburgh, a series of events led to a major rift amongst the members of the Harmony Society. On March 6, 1832, Two hundred and fifty six members resigned the organization and left to settle across the River in what is now known as the town of Monaca. Prior to the Schism, there were seven hundred and seventy-one Society members living in Economy. The stories of these Seceeders are told in an exhibit, Out of Harmony, in Old Economy Village’s Visitor Center. The exhibit draws upon the extensive research of Eileen Aiken English, retired professor from California University of Pennsylvania.
The 2008 Harmony Society Family Reunion will begin in Harmony, PA on Friday evening, June 27, with a wine and cheese reception and a tour of the buildings which the Society built in 1804. On Saturday, guests will visit Old Economy Village, in Ambridge, and attend several workshops featuring speakers who will discuss the history of secession within the Society, the people who left, their reasons for leaving, and what happened to many of them after they left.

Dr. Donald Pitzer, Professor Emeritus of History, University of Southern Indiana, and former Director of the Center for Communal Studies at that University will lead the program by discussing “How the Harmonists Suffered Disharmony.” Dr. Walter Brumm, Board member of the Communal Studies Association and of the Friends of Old Economy Village; Eileen Aiken-English; and the Rev. Larry Waltz of the 1804 Blooming Grove break-away community in Lycoming County, will present their research and lead group discussions. Descendants of the Society will be encouraged to share their families’ history in these sessions.
A tour of the site's historic buildings and gardens and a walking tour of Historic Ambridge round out the day. In the evening, a special German dinner with a concert by the Old Economy 1830 Orchestra and OEV Singers will be presented in St. John’s Lutheran Church, the Harmonists’ original house of worship. The weekend concludes with services at St. Johns and a walking tour of Old Phillipsburg (Monaca) on Sunday morning.
Below are links to useful websites for those who are interested in knowing more about the Harmony Society:
The Harmony Museum, http://www.harmonymuseum.org/
Historic New Harmony, New Harmony, Indiana, http://www.newharmony.org.
Old Economy Village, http://www.oldeconomyvillage.org

Economy’s regular hours of operation are Tuesday - Saturday, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.; Sunday, Noon to 5:00 p.m.; the site is open thru December 31st. The site is closed Mondays and holidays, except Memorial Day, the Fourth of July and Labor Day (call for hours). Please allow 2 hours for a visit. Daily admission is charged: Adults (18 years and older), $7.00; Youth (6 years - 17 years), $5.00; Senior Citizens (60 years and older), $6.00; Under 6, No Charge. Persons with disabilities who need special assistance or accommodation should call (724) 266-4500 in advance to discuss their needs. Pennsylvania TDD relay service is available at (800) 654-5984.

For more information call (724) 266-4500 or e-mail: ra-oldeconomy@state.pa.us or visit our website at www.oldeconomyvillage.org. Old Economy Village is one of 25 historic sites and museums on the Pennsylvania Trail of History®, administered by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. For more information or to request a free 24-page visitor guide, visit www.phmc.state.pa.us or phone toll free 1-866-PA TRAIL. For more information on Old Economy Village visit www.oldeconomyvillage.org.