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Beaver County

Lack Of Funding May Close Old Economy Village

AMBRIDGE (KDKA) ―

Click to enlarge 1 of 1: The Old Economy Village may close due to a lack of state funding.
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The Old Economy Village is in danger of closing because of state budget cuts.

Workers at the site call it the main historical site in Beaver County and they are saddened over the news that it may close.

For more than 20 years, Nancy Young has poured her heart and soul into working at the Old Economy Village. She started out as a volunteer and then began to work at the museum.

With all the history in the community, it was love at first sight for her.

"All the land for seven miles and a mile-and-a-half wide, they were some of the most influential people in the nation, in the 19th century," Young said.

The Harmonists were originally from Germany. Many left there and ended up in an area near 16th Street in Ambridge.

Young said it is important to understand their purpose.

"They gave up their country. They gave up their homeland. They gave up their families in order to come here, so that they could live in a nation where they were free to practice their religion. They were economically free to do as they chose," Young said.

According to Young, the Harmonists once owned 3,000 acres of land. Now, there are only six acres left for showing 17 original buildings and plenty of artifacts.

Since 1916 the Old Economy Village has been a museum educating people from all over the world on this place's moment in history.

But recently, workers got word that they would be out of a job because of a lack of state funding.

State Rep. Rob Matzie said this is a result of a 43 percent cut in the budget for the Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission.

Matzie said though the village closure wold come as a surprise for him.

"The potential for closing the site is a non-starter for me. Any discussions related to closing any site should be brought up in the General Assembly," Matzie said in a statement.

Matzie said if the village closes down there is no word on any future plans for the museum at this point.