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Duss was a musician, composer and band leader who conducted the Economy Band
from 1883. This band merged with the Great Western Band of Pittsburgh in 1900
to form the Duss Concert Band and Metropolitan Opera House Orchestra. Duss also
wrote The Harmonists: A Personal History (Harrisburg: The Pennsylvania
Book Service, 1943).
Up until Duss's death in 1951, the John Duss Papers were known variously as the Harmony Society Archives and the Duss Memorial Exhibit. For the most part, the materials for the period of his trusteeship of the Harmony Society, 1890-1903, are contained in the Harmony Society Papers (Manuscript Group 185). Duss's musical compositions and library have long been housed at the PHMC's Old Economy Village Historical Site in Ambridge. The John Duss Papers have also now been transferred to Old Economy Village.
For related records see the Harmony Society Papers (Manuscript Group 185), Old Economy Village Collection (Manuscript Group 354), Karl Arndt Collection of Harmony Society Materials (Manuscript Group 437), Knoedler Family Collection (Manuscript Group 330), and Henry Mohn Family Collection (Manuscript Group 332), which have also been transferred to Old Economy Village.
PA State Archives | Hours, Directions, & Fees | Research Topics | Online Catalog | Land Records |