Cultural Phenomenon
TRANSFORMATION CITY »
Showcasing a 'New America'
The Pittsburgh region has survived wrenching economic change and emerged with a balanced, innovation-driven economy renowned for health care and life sciences, technology and robotics, higher education and research, financial services, advanced manufacturing and renewable energy.
NEIGHBORHOODS »
A City Full of Diversity
As a city full of diversity, you will love exploring the culture, food, and atmosphere of Pittsburgh’s 89 unique and ethnically distinctive neighborhoods. Pittsburgh’s downtown is full of the city hustle and bustle, and Squirrel Hill has the quaint charm of a main street-like community. Meanwhile, Oakland, with its many universities, supplies a uniquely intellectual atmosphere. Pittsburgh’s neighborhoods and the unique people in them are just waiting for you to come and visit!.
Old Economy Village
Contact: Roberta Sunstein, +1 724.266.4500, extension 108, rsunstein@state.pa.us
A Historic Village Called Economy Inspires Economic Development through Preservation Just North of Pittsburgh
Synopsis
Fourteen miles north of Pittsburgh is Old Economy Village, a National Historic Landmark, encompassed by the newly designated Preserve America Community of Ambridge. Founded in 1824 by the German communal Harmony Society, Economy attracted international visitors and economists seeking a "new" economy for the youthful United States and post-Napoleonic Europe. With the demise of the Society in 1905, Economy was transformed into Ambridge, home of American Bridge, the largest steel fabricating company in the world. With steel's demise, Ambridge is looking again to Economy for a "new" economy based on preservation and adaptive reuse.
Overview
In 1824, greater Pittsburgh grew by nearly 1000 residents with the arrival of the communal Harmony Society. At the time, Pittsburgh's population was less than 10,000. The Society was famous for its textile manufacturing, agriculture, and trade on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. Society leaders knew Pittsburgh and Philadelphia's leading businessmen, and corresponded with state and national politicians to their advantage. By the Civil War, the Society had moved from manufacturing to capital investment in the region's coal mines, oil fields, and railroads. They were among the first to drill for oil and were controlling stockholders in the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad, of Pittsburgh's famed Station Square.
By 1905 the Society was dissolved. The American Bridge Company, the nation's largest steel fabricator, purchased land surrounding Economy and in a few years the city of Ambridge grew up around original Harmonist buildings. The 1940s were boom years for Ambridge, but, with the death of the Pittsburgh region's steel industry in the 1970s the company town suffered.
Fortunately, in 1916 six acres of the original Harmonist community were acquired by the Commonwealth and preserved as a National Historic Landmark. Today, Ambridge sees Old Economy Village as a building block in the steel town's revitalization. Recently designated a Preserve America Community, Ambridge is participating in the Main Street, Elm Street, and Brownfields revitalization programs and is developing the "New Economy" business park. The future holds opportunities given by the past.
MEDIA »
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ENVIRONMENTAL RENAISSANCE »
A view of the David Lawrence Convention Center
Green Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is leading the way in green initiatives. With green buildings located throughout the city and the nation’s first green convention center, we’re rethinking the cityscape and uncovering new ways to keep it green.
