With the restoration of the Wood-Morrison House, construction of the new exhibit building, and the upcoming opening of 8 new exhibit galleries on our campus, the community’s support has been and continues to be invaluable.
Because of your commitment to our mission, we plan to re-open this summer with a celebration of our shared heritage and a renewed pride in our community. We look forward to the return of school children, their parents and the entire community to our campus.
But we’ll need to re-open a little differently than originally planned.
The Making History Gala which was to kick off the reopening has been cancelled. This was a very difficult decision but necessary due to the large number of expected guests. Still, we can’t wait to show you what we’ve accomplished with your support. In lieu of a gala with a large crowd, we’re planning to host a Virtual Ribbon Cutting.
As a gala sponsor or ticket holder, you will be invited to a private Virtual Ribbon Cutting in July. Our benefactor Tom Hagen will conduct the ceremony. The event will be filmed along with a virtual tour of the new exhibit of national significance. This virtual opening is just for our sponsors and ticket holders. You will be the first to learn the name of the exhibit and see it virtually.
In addition, the Hagen History Center will also unveil a new logo in June. As a sponsor or ticket holder, you will receive a colored glass trivet, created by local artist Lee Steadman, with this new logo shown on the trivet. This keepsake will only be given to our sponsors and ticket holders.
The date for the Virtual Ribbon Cutting will be announced shortly. Sponsors and ticket holders’ names will be listed on signage that will be displayed in front of the exhibit of national significance through the end of September.
Also, once the new exhibits are opened, we will give private, one-on-one tours to sponsors and ticket holders. These tours will be held from 9am-3pm in July and from 9am-11am in August prior to opening to the general public. We expect to open the new exhibits to the public in August starting at 11am daily.
With your donation to the Virtual Ribbon Cutting, you will help the museum continue its mission. To become a sponsor or a ticket holder, use the attached form. If you have any questions, please contact Geri Cicchetti, Advancement Director, at gcicchetti@eriehistory.org.
Thank you for your support and we look forward to seeing you on our campus this summer and at future Hagen History Center events.
You can become part of Erie’s future by donating to preserve Erie’s past.
Donations to ECHS help us maintain the Watson-Curtze Mansion, Carriage House and Archives Building on West 6th Street in Erie, PA. Donations also help maintain the Battles Estate Farm Houses in Girard, PA.
It is because of the ongoing support of the Erie community that ECHS maintains over 30,000 objects, over one and a half miles of materials, and archives of Erie County organizations.
Your annual gift to the ECHS shows your investment in Erie's future. Your support enhances existing exhibits, helps create new exhibits, and preserves Erie's rich history for generations to come.
You can choose to make your annual gift as an unrestricted gift, in memory of a loved one, or as a tribute to a loved one. DONATE NOW to make your gift or mail a donation to
Advancement Office
Hagen History Center
356 West 6th Street
Erie PA, 16501
If your employer will match your gift, please remember to submit the paperwork.
With your donation of $40 or more, you will become a member of the Hagen History Center. Members enjoy unlimited access to the museum all year.
You can choose to become a member on your first trip to the Hagen History Center, or on our website at www.eriehistory.org, or by contacting us at 814-454-1813 x 27.
Membership levels include:
All above levels receive general membership benefits as well. These benefits include 15% off all gift shop purchases, quarterly newsletters, Journal of Erie Studies, unlimited visits to the exhibits, guest passes, and invitations to members-only events such as the Christmas Party and Annual Meeting.
Download our membership form (PDF)
It’s the day Erie really does give! The Erie Community Foundation’s day for online giving will be held on August 11, 2020 from 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Donors can go to www.eriegives.org to make their gift.
Erie Gives will accept checks received by August 10. Donating by check will save the ECHS the credit card processing fee. Checks must be made out to The Erie Community Foundation, be accompanied by a Check Donation Form, and be delivered to the Foundation by Monday, August 10.
Download/Print Check Donation Form
Contact Geri Cicchetti at 814-454-1813 x 34 or gcicchetti@eriehistory.org with questions or to include your check prior to August 10th.
Don’t forget to attend an ECHS event.
You can also choose to host an event to benefit ECHS? Contact our Advancement office at 814-454-1813 x34.
Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program (EITC)
The Erie County Historical Society is an approved nonprofit to receive EITC funding. This is a program in which approved donors can give to ECHS and receive either a 75% or 90% tax credit on PA taxes in addition to a deduction on federal taxes. ECHS will direct donations to programs at the new Education Center in the Wood-Morrison-House
Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP)
Erie County Historical Society is an approved nonprofit to receive NAP funding. The Neighborhood Assistance Program’s goal is to encourage businesses to invest in projects which improve distressed areas and support, among other things, educational opportunities. A tax credit of up to 55% can be awarded. ECHS will direct NAP donations to fund the new exhibits in the building under construction
If you’d like additional information on either program, please contact Geri Cicchetti at 814-454-1813 x 34 or at gcicchetti@eriehistory.org.
You can also choose to immortalize your family name with a brick on the Carriage House Patio (former Planetarium). Bricks are $100 for up to 3 lines of copy.
Download the Buy a Brick Form (PDF)
Please consider remembering ECHS in your estate plans. You can choose to include ECHS in your will, in a trust and/or as the beneficiary of an insurance policy. This type of donation often provides transformational growth for the organization.
If you'd like to discuss any of the above options further, contact Geri Cicchetti, Advancement Director at 814-454-1813 x34 or at gcicchetti@eriehistory.org
Safely and securely give to the Erie County Historical Society in any amount you choose. We thank you in advance for your donation.
