Once again, Mercyhurst University will pool its collective resources spanning the arts, sciences, environmental stewardship, social justice, literature, and history as partners in this year’s National Water Dance, a collaborative community performance that takes place across the nation at local waterways on Saturday, April 20, at 4 p.m. EST. This special event is designed to raise awareness about local and global water issues, elevate water stewardship, and build community, this interdisciplinary venture encourages us to offer contributions centering on water themes and water-related research.

The event will begin outdoors, proceed through the Museum and will culminate with a performance at Blasco Library’s Hirt Auditorium.

EVENT IS FULLY BOOKED!

Ahoy, Homeschool Friends!

Join the Erie Maritime Museum and Lake Erie Lights of PA as we invite our #Homeschool Families for an exciting exploration of shipwrecks and navigation on Lake Erie. Learn of the hazards of sailing these treacherous waters and how humans discover shipwrecks, establish navigation aids, and even track the stars.

The event is FREE for homeschoolers and their immediate families. RSVP is required. Email our Educator at chajohnso@pa.gov.

Stop by the Erie Maritime Museum as we celebrate Charter Day 2024 as we commemorate the 343rd anniversary of the granting of the charter to William Penn by King Charles II of England in 1681, which ultimately led to the founding of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Volunteers are vital to supporting and promoting the Erie Maritime Museum's educational mission. This open house session is designed to introduce prospective volunteers to our organization, mission, Museum Staff, and volunteer opportunities. Those interested in joining our volunteer community will be given the chance to apply and complete background check requirements in person.

For more information, contact our Museum Educator at chajohnso@pa.gov.

Attention all history buffs and Sabaton fans!

Are you ready for an unforgettable cinematic experience that will transport you back in time, right into the heart of epic battles and heroic tales? Well, get ready, because the Erie Maritime Museum is thrilled to announce a FREE SCREENING of Sabaton's film: The War to End All Wars this Saturday, November 11, 2023, from 6:30 to 8:00 at the Hirt Auditorium in the lobby of the Blasco Library.

This is a 67-minute-long musical motion picture that is being released in English as part of the “History Rocks” campaign – the global museum project that revolves around the movie’s premiere – is set to take place within the two weeks surrounding November 11, 2023, which is a fitting date, as it commemorates the end of World War 1 (Armistice Day).

The screening of “The War To End All Wars – The Movie” will be a perfect opportunity for people to learn more about this crucial part of history and reflect on the sacrifices made by those who fought in the war.

Attention all history buffs and Sabaton fans!

Are you ready for an unforgettable cinematic experience that will transport you back in time, right into the heart of epic battles and heroic tales? Well, get ready, because the Erie Maritime Museum is thrilled to announce a FREE SCREENING of Sabaton's film: The War to End All Wars this Saturday, November 11, 2023, from 6:30 to 8:00 at the Hirt Auditorium in the lobby of the Blasco Library.

This is a 67-minute-long musical motion picture that is being released in English as part of the “History Rocks” campaign – the global museum project that revolves around the movie’s premiere – is set to take place within the two weeks surrounding November 11, 2023, which is a fitting date, as it commemorates the end of World War 1 (Armistice Day).

The screening of “The War To End All Wars – The Movie” will be a perfect opportunity for people to learn more about this crucial part of history and reflect on the sacrifices made by those who fought in the war.

Join us for an enthralling evening at Erie Maritime Museum while we explore the mysteries of the sinking of Dean Richmond with our friends at the Pennsylvania Archaeology Shipwreck Survey Team (P.A.A.S.T). On the evening of October 15, 1893, the prop freighter was bound for Buffalo via Toledo, Ohio, and was caught up in a “terrific storm” off Dunkirk, NY. According to P.A.A.S.T. and the Regional Consortium, the vessel “was one of the most sought-after lost ships of the lake.” It was rediscovered by Garry Kozak, “inverted 5 miles off the Pennsylvania/New York border in 95 feet of water.

The lecture is free to the public and will be hosted at the Erie County Public Library’s Hirt Auditorium.

Ghouls come to life at the Erie Maritime Museum this October! Join us for a fun, (non-scary) family-friendly trick or treat event. Dress up in your costume, trick-or-treat, meet members of O.H. Perry’s crew and take part in Halloween-themed maritime activities!

Cost of admission to the event is $5 per trick-or-treater (parent/guardians are FREE).

Join Museum Staff as we explore the content of the Maritime Museum’s Siple collections! The program is in collaboration with the Erie County Public Library as part of Siple Week. Arrive prior to 10:00 a.m. to secure your spot.

Action Stations!

The Erie Maritime Museum is thrilled to announce our upcoming Naval Wargames Day here at the Museum on September 16, 2023, from 10:30 to 3:30. Participants will have the opportunity to wage war and reenact some of history’s most famous engagements. This is your chance to meet, compete, and/or even learn the basics of tabletop wargaming from local pros. In addition to this, we will be offering miniature painting workshops and a history of Wargaming discussion.

This brand-new event is included with admission to the Maritime Museum. Feel free to get in touch with Chuck at chajohnso@pa.gov.

210 years ago, an Erie-built American Squadron commanded by Oliver Hazard Perry defeated and captured the entire British Lake Erie fleet at Put-In-Bay, on the western end of Lake Erie near present-day Sandusky, Ohio. This virtual commemoration will commence at 11:45 a.m., as we honor the exact moment Robert Heriot Barclay ordered his guns to open fire on the encroaching American squadron. The event will be live-streamed on our social media channels.

Ahoy, Little Mates! Join Museum Staff on Saturday, June 17 as we explore the science behind shipwreck archaeology as part of our Sail to Steam Saturday events geared toward getting the little ones excited about the sciences! During this event, we will explore SONAR imagery, talk about shipwrecks in the Erie region, learn about mosaics, and “dive” into a debris field.

This program is included with Museum Admission.

Ahoy, Little Mates! Join Museum Staff on Saturday, June 10 as we welcome the International Guild of Knot Tyers to the Erie Maritime Museum. Discover the world of knot art, rope making, and so much more! The program is free with admission to the Erie Maritime Museum.

Ahoy, Little Mates! Join Museum Staff on Saturday, May 20 as we welcome the International Guild of Knot Tyers to the Erie Maritime Museum. Discover the world of knot art, rope making, and so much more! The program is free with admission to the Erie Maritime Museum.

Join the Erie Maritime Museum Wednesday, April 26, 2023, from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm as we unveil our newest exhibit “Snipe to…Black Ice” – featuring a 1900-built ice boat that sailed Presque Isle Bay for over one hundred years.

Originally christened Snipe, the boat was built for Annie Wainwright Scott Strong in 1900. Ownership was eventually passed to Homer Coleman and later stored behind a wall on the north end of the Erie Yacht Club property until 1983. It was then that the boat was given to three friends – Chris Wolford, Andy Hanks, and Lee Johannesmeyer. The group worked to restore the ice boat before she returned to the ice of Presque Isle Bay in February 1984, rechristened as Black Ice – a hard-ice sailor’s optimistic hope for ideal conditions. Black Ice joined the collections of the Erie Maritime Museum in 2020 courtesy of Chris Wolford, Andy Hanks, and Lee Johannesmeyer.

The Erie Maritime Museum will be open for free to showcase our newest addition. We will offer light refreshments and hors d-oeuvres and the opportunity to meet the men who last sailed this beautiful ice boat.

The Winter Sail Training Program is a series of classes in basic seamanship and ship operations taught by Niagara's professional crew. If you have ever wanted to learn some knots and sail on the Brig Niagara, this is your opportunity. Our volunteer community are a welcoming and fun group of dedicated volunteer crew members and we hope you will consider joining it. The classes take place each Saturday beginning on January 14, 2023 and concludes with Niagara’s first sail of the season. Interested members should RSVP with the Chief Mate at chiefmate@sailfnl.org as seats are limited.

The Winter Sail Training Program is a series of classes in basic seamanship and ship operations taught by Niagara's professional crew. If you have ever wanted to learn some knots and sail on the Brig Niagara, this is your opportunity. Our volunteer community are a welcoming and fun group of dedicated volunteer crew members and we hope you will consider joining it. The classes take place each Saturday beginning on January 14, 2023 and concludes with Niagara’s first sail of the season. Interested members should RSVP with the Chief Mate at chiefmate@sailfnl.org as seats are limited.

The Winter Sail Training Program is a series of classes in basic seamanship and ship operations taught by Niagara's professional crew. If you have ever wanted to learn some knots and sail on the Brig Niagara, this is your opportunity. Our volunteer community are a welcoming and fun group of dedicated volunteer crew members and we hope you will consider joining it. The classes take place each Saturday beginning on January 14, 2023 and concludes with Niagara’s first sail of the season. Interested members should RSVP with the Chief Mate at chiefmate@sailfnl.org as seats are limited.

Volunteers are vital to supporting and promoting the Erie Maritime Museum's educational mission. This open house session is designed to introduce prospective volunteers to our organization, mission, Museum & ship staff, and volunteer opportunities. Those interested in joining our volunteer community will be given the chance to apply and complete background check requirements in person.

For more information, contact our Museum Educator at chajohnso@pa.gov.

RSVP at: Volunteer Open House

Volunteers are vital to supporting and promoting the Erie Maritime Museum's educational mission. This open house session is designed to introduce prospective volunteers to our organization, mission, Museum & ship staff, and volunteer opportunities. Those interested in joining our volunteer community will be given the chance to apply and complete background check requirements in person.

For more information, contact our Museum Educator at chajohnso@pa.gov.

RSVP at: Volunteer Open House

“Bells of Peace” was created in collaboration with the Society of the Honor Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (SHGTUS) to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of the World War I Armistice, November 11, 2018.

The Doughboy Foundation has since promoted it as an annual remembrance of those who served in WWI and of the moment when the guns fell silent, and bells tolled on the Western Front… on the 11th day of the 11th month, at the 11th hour in 1918, after four years of brutal combat.

The Erie Maritime Museum is honored to be a part of this amazing effort to commemorate the moment the "guns fell silent" on the 11th day of the 11th month, at the 11th hour in 1918" after four years of horrific combat.

Stay tuned for more information!

American history is filled with valiant heroes deserving of our nation’s highest honors. One such family has the rare distinction of having a family member buried at more than one of our nation’s service academies. The younger brother of Medal of Honor recipient Alonzo Cushing, William was quite the opposite of his heralded elder brother. Expelled from the US Naval Academy for poor performance and constant pranks, he quickly made his mark on the naval service, eventually receiving a Letter of Thanks from President Abraham Lincoln for his role in the sinking of the CSS Albemarle in October 1864.

For the second edition of our Civil War Navies lecture series, we turn our attention to the story of “the Daring Lieutenant” William Barker Cushing. We will detail his life, his career in the navy and, of course, the raid which made him “famous”. We are again joined by Erie Maritime Museum Educator, Charles Johnson – who spent one year researching the Cushing family as an undergraduate history student at Fredonia State University.

Teachers, by attending this event your leadership might award you continuing education credits – our team can issue you a letter of attendance, but be sure to check with your school’s leadership!

The lecture will be moderated by Tyler Gum, Site Administrator of the Pennsylvania Military Museum. Following the presentation, a brief Q&A will take place. The online lecture will utilize the Zoom platform. Registration Required, space is limited.

Join the Erie Maritime Museum (EMM) and Pennsylvania Military Museum (PMM) for a joint webinar discussing Army and Naval tactics during the War of 1812. We will explore how militaries operated on the battlefield with support from naval ships, weaponry, and troop movements. Drawing examples from source materials and specific engagements like that of Mackinac Island, Plattsburgh, and York, just to name a few.

Combine Arms will be hosted by PMM Site Administrator Tyler Gum and EMM Educator Charles Johnson and will stream live via Zoom. Registration is required, space is limited. Secure your spot by visiting our Zoom Registration.

For questions, please contact chajohnso@pa.gov.

Image Credit: Mackinac State Historic Parks Collection

In 1886, the US Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island hosted a lecture titled, “Colomb’s War Game”, the first of its kind for the burgeoning officer’s college. Initially developed to play out real-world scenarios, these “games” simulated hypothetical engagements, focusing on strategy, procedure, organization, and equipment. Over the years, wargaming expanded its reach into hobby and even obsession – with games played on tabletop and even digital means.

Join us for this brand-new lecture titled, Naval Wargaming – A Brief History as we unpack the enduring history of naval wargaming. We welcome longtime Erie Maritime Museum volunteer, Ed Bolla to discuss all things Naval Wargaming, from Fred T. Jane and Fletcher Prat thru SeeKrieg and other more modern Rules Systems. This lecture is hosted on Zoom by Museum Educator Charles Johnson. Registration is required, space is limited.

Today, Lake Erie is heralded as one of the world's busiest inland waterways. Its not a rarity to see ships large and small on the Lake's horizon, people wading along it's tempered shores, and beautiful sunsets which burn the horizon facing west. Despite all of this, the Lake is known as "the world's worst tempered lake". Home to hundreds of shipwrecks, the lake which, as Charles Dickens wrote, was essentially "a giant puddle", and has stirred up plenty of storms.

In an effort to begin protecting the shores of the Great Lakes and the country's seaboards, the United States government authorized the US Life-Saving Service in June 1878. In this special three-part lecture series, the Erie Maritime Museum is thrilled to welcome Commander Timothy R. Dring, USNR (Retired) as he introduces the US Life-Saving Service and the formation of the US Coast Guard. Moderated by Erie Maritime Museum Educator Charles Johnson, this FREE lecture series will be broken into three separate events:

1) Introduction to the History of the Life-Saving Service
2) Station Presque Isle
3) USCG Operations During the Prohibition

To attend, please register for all three! Space is limited, registration required.

Today, Lake Erie is heralded as one of the world's busiest inland waterways. Its not a rarity to see ships large and small on the Lake's horizon, people wading along it's tempered shores, and beautiful sunsets which burn the horizon facing west. Despite all of this, the Lake is known as "the world's worst tempered lake". Home to hundreds of shipwrecks, the lake which, as Charles Dickens wrote, was essentially "a giant puddle", and has stirred up plenty of storms.

In an effort to begin protecting the shores of the Great Lakes and the country's seaboards, the United States government authorized the US Life-Saving Service in June 1878. In this special three-part lecture series, the Erie Maritime Museum is thrilled to welcome Commander Timothy R. Dring, USNR (Retired) as he introduces the US Life-Saving Service and the formation of the US Coast Guard. Moderated by Erie Maritime Museum Educator Charles Johnson, this FREE lecture series will be broken into three separate events:

1) Introduction to the History of the Life-Saving Service
2) Station Presque Isle
3) USCG Operations During the Prohibition

To attend, please register for all three! Space is limited, registration required.

Legendary Civil War Historian and Historian Emeritus Edwin C. Bearrs writes, "strange to say, in view of the high visibility the Civil War has commanded...few are familiar with the Sultana disaster". The Erie Maritime Museum and US Brig Niagara are thrilled to welcome the author of Disaster on the Mississippi: The Sultana Explosion - Mr. Gene E. Salecker for this special edition of our ongoing lecture series: Boats, Ships, and Us.

This FREE program will be moderated by Erie Maritime Museum Educator Charles Johnson and hosted on Zoom. Registration is required and space is limited. Secure your spot by heading over to our official Zoom Registration.

Want to give his book a read, visit https://www.usni.org/press/books/disaster-mississippi to pick up a copy!

Today, Lake Erie is heralded as one of the world's busiest inland waterways. Its not a rarity to see ships large and small on the Lake's horizon, people wading along it's tempered shores, and beautiful sunsets which burn the horizon facing west. Despite all of this, the Lake is known as "the world's worst tempered lake". Home to hundreds of shipwrecks, the lake which, as Charles Dickens wrote, was essentially "a giant puddle", and has stirred up plenty of storms.

In an effort to begin protecting the shores of the Great Lakes and the country's seaboards, the United States government authorized the US Life-Saving Service in June 1878. In this special three-part lecture series, the Erie Maritime Museum is thrilled to welcome Commander Timothy R. Dring, USNR (Retired) as he introduces the US Life-Saving Service and the formation of the US Coast Guard. Moderated by Erie Maritime Museum Educator Charles Johnson, this FREE lecture series will be broken into three separate events:

1) Introduction to the History of the Life-Saving Service

2) Station Presque Isle

3) USCG Operations During the Prohibition

To attend, please register for all three! Space is limited, registration required.