Harmony House Resort, built on land seized from Prussian barons during World War I, was later sold to a blouse-makers union. The resort offered progressive values, including labor rights, women's rights, and racial equality. It provided entertainment such as dancing, operas, lectures, and performances by renowned musicians. Famous visitors like Eleanor Roosevelt and Glenn Miller frequented the low-cost vacation destination. However, the decline of garment unions and changing visitor preferences led to its closure in 1989. The resort was left abandoned for a quarter century, symbolizing the disappearing middle class and the need for community spaces like Harmony House.
