Old Economy Village

Old Economy Village is a historic site in Ambridge, Pennsylvania, that preserves the legacy of the Harmony Society, a 19th-century religious community founded by George Rapp. Its centerpiece is a two-acre garden established in 1824, laid out in a formal style inspired by German monastery grounds and palace courtyards Rapp encountered before emigrating from Germany, and still planted with vineyards, heirloom vegetables, roses, and other perennial flowering ornamentals along stone pathways and a stone pavilion. The village opens several of its historic buildings and grounds for private events, including weddings, galas, fundraisers, birthday parties, corporate meetings, and photography sessions. The George Rapp Garden hosts garden ceremonies from mid-April through mid-October, while the Feast Hall, a communal dining and music space built in 1827 on the second floor of the Natural History Museum building, and the first floor of the five-story Granary barn offer indoor options for receptions and gatherings of varying sizes. A modern Visitor Center classroom rounds out the venue's spaces for smaller meetings and events. Old Economy Village is administered by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission in partnership with the Friends of Old Economy Village.