PRINTER'S NO. 2752
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
653
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY MATZIE, GIBBONS, CHRISTIANA AND MARSHALL,
JANUARY 25, 2016
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
JANUARY 25, 2016
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing the 100th anniversary of the awarding of Old Economy
Village to the Commonwealth.
WHEREAS, Old Economy Village is the historic home of a
community of German immigrants who began migrating from the
city-state of Wurttemberg beginning in 1803, due to religious
persecution; and
WHEREAS, These immigrants, who followed the preaching of
Johann Georg Rapp and dubbed themselves Harmonists, endeavored
to establish an entrepreneurial-based community in Butler
County; and
WHEREAS, Although the Harmonists originally settled and
established the towns of Harmony, Butler County, in 1804, and
New Harmony, located in the Indiana Territory, in 1814, the
Harmonists later returned to Butler County in 1824 and
established their third and final settlement, Economy; and
WHEREAS, The Harmony Society began as an agricultural-based
community but quickly industrialized, adding textile and grist
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mills; and
WHEREAS, The Harmonists later turned to investing and enjoyed
a period of relative prosperity until the 1890s; and
WHEREAS, The Harmony Society officially dissolved on December
15, 1905; and
WHEREAS, A lengthy legal battle ensued after a joint
resolution passed by the General Assembly provided that the
abandoned land would be requisitioned by the Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, On February 3, 1916, the Court of Common Pleas of
Beaver County awarded six acres of land in the town of Economy
to the Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, In 1917, the Harmony Society Historical Association
was founded and began providing historic tours to the public;
and
WHEREAS, In 1919, the association entered into a contract
with the Pennsylvania Historical Commission; and
WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
formally opened Old Economy Village to the public on May 26,
1921, to an audience of nearly 5,000 people; and
WHEREAS, In February 1972, National Geographic featured an
educational insert that highlighted Old Economy's live-in
program for school children; and
WHEREAS, Old Economy Village has undergone several extensive
restorations through the years and has continued to be of great
historical importance and a favored tourist destination; and
WHEREAS, Old Economy Village is designated as a National
Historic Landmark and is listed on the National Register of
Historic Places; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the
100th anniversary of the awarding of Old Economy Village to the
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Commonwealth.
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