Harmony Society
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Harmony Society was a Christian theosophy and alchemist society founded in Iptingen, Germany, in 1785 or 1786. Due to religious persecution by the Lutheran Church, the Harmony Society moved to the United States in 1803–1804, eventually purchasing 3000 acres (12 km²) of land in Butler County, Pennsylvania. On February 15, 1805, they, together with about 400 followers, formally organized the Harmony Society, placing all their goods in common.
The Society was founded and led by Johann George Rapp (1757–1847) and his adopted son, Frederick Rapp (1775–1834). The Harmony Society is best known for its worldly successes, eventually building three successive communities, first at Harmony, then New Harmony, Indiana, finally settling in Economy (now Ambridge, Pennsylvania).
