Hello Erie County Community & Beyond,
As the global health community and the world come together to face the COVID-19 pandemic, I wanted our supporters to know how the Hagen History Center/Erie County Historical Society is responding to these challenging times. Every decision we make is being guided by our long-standing commitment to Erie County, to our donors, to our volunteers, and to our staff.
As you may know, we closed our doors to the public on March 16, 2020. While we’re not hosting tours of our museum or utilizing our volunteers, we continue to update our website, www.eriehistory.org. Check out our blogs to keep your interest in history alive until we re-open our doors to the community.
We are committed to thinking long-term about our mission. I want you to know that our staff is working from home. They continue planning the new exhibits scheduled to be unveiled this summer. They are drafting plans for future educational opportunities and social events. And they continue to be planning the Making History Gala (now rescheduled to July 9, subject to public health guidelines). Gala information will be updated regularly on the website.
If you have a question, you’re welcome to email a staff member. Their emails are listed on the website at www.eriehistory.org/about-us/staff/.
Our goal is to celebrate our reopening with several dates in which the community can come the museum at no charge. Please watch for further announcements and dates. HHC will be hosting a replica of the Liberty Bell. We will be opening new galleries in the Wood-Morrison House and one new gallery in the Watson-Curtze Mansion. We will also be opening the new exhibit building featuring the exhibit of national significance. This type of momentum needs to continue. It will aid the Erie community’s healing effort by bringing us together to celebrate our rich heritage.
These events will kick-off our return to a new normal and celebrate our perseverance. I ask that you join us in this effort to welcome back children, their parents, and the entire community in celebration of our collective history. We’ll have more details on this at a later date.
Know that it has always been your support that empowers us to continue our mission.
There is no doubt; we’re all in this together. Stay at home, practice social distancing, and wash your hands!
With sincere gratitude for your support and dedication,
George E. Deutsch
Executive Director