Friday Jul 9th, 2021
The Erie Extension Canal, not to be confused with the Erie Canal in New York state, ran between Presque Isle Bay at Erie, Pennsylvania, and the Ohio River at Beaver, Pennsylvania, northwest of Pittsburgh. The canal thus linked the Great Lakes with the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico to the south. Goods and people could travel by water from Erie to New Orleans.
Wednesday Jul 7th, 2021
The 1850s; a time for new, more ostentatious fashion, the underground railroad, and even a war over the destiny of the local train tracks. The world certainly had its fair share of events happening, but Erie’s history at this time is truly unique, as is the involvement that women had in these events.
Friday Jul 2nd, 2021
What better way to celebrate World UFO Day than with memories of a few UFOs and wannabes in and around Erie County.
Thursday Jul 1st, 2021
Readers might remember that in my first blog, I committed to flip at least one lid on one box in each collection, beginning with Collection #1, The Edith Buck Papers.
So, here is the thing, I found a second Collection #1. The Erie County Historical Society accepted collections from the Mercyhurst College Archives over a ten-year period from 1993 to 2003. Its Collection #1 was the Erie Oil Company Papers. There are 44 boxes of material, approximately 200,000 items for a company that existed from 1889 to 1962.
Wednesday Jun 30th, 2021
Informed and inspired by the historicism of the Romantic Era, dress silhouettes of the 1840s had a long waisted bodice, tight, narrow sleeves, and a full dome-shaped skirt that would skim the floor. The Gothic revival of the Romantic Era was imitated in the fashion world as women became walking Gothic structures with their dresses utilizing Gothic architectural characteristics such as narrow arches and angular shapes.
Wednesday Jun 23rd, 2021
This blog series is now going to change for a while. Instead of focusing on Erie County history inspired by the book “A Souvenir of Erie Penna Illustrated 1888”, the next several blogs will be based on a new exhibit in the Watson-Curtze mansion, “The Changing Silhouette of Victorian Women’s Fashions."
Friday Jun 18th, 2021
There are many famous phrases and sayings in American military history that were commonly used and repeated in conversation. Many are lost to most Americans, but several actually have Erie roots.
Wednesday Jun 16th, 2021
If we live in Erie County we most likely have our money in one of the following banks: First National, Erie, Citizens, Huntington, Marquette, Northwest, or PNC; or in a variety of Credit Unions throughout the region. Prior to these, County residents have had many choices of where to put their money, other than under the mattress or buried in the back yard! This blog takes a brief look at the history of banks here and you may find some familiar names associated with them.
Monday Jun 14th, 2021
When I decided to change employers and change jobs, I had two criteria that had to be met - my next adventure had to be either much simpler, or much more interesting.
Friday Jun 11th, 2021
The history of the United States Navy is sprinkled with famous phrases and memorable statements. “Don’t Give Up the Ship” by Captain James Lawrence and made into a flag by Oliver Hazard Perry during the War of 1812. Another famous naval phrase which remains in use today is “You may fire when ready, Gridley.” Who was Gridley?
