Annual Fund

Keeping History that inspires!  

It is like looking in a mirror. That’s what many of our visitors think when they see the Hagen History Center’s newest exhibit The Story of Us.

Our largest exhibit covers 3,000 square feet and includes hundreds of photos that tell the stories of our ancestors’ immigration, families who established Erie County and how they made a living and built neighborhoods, churches, and social clubs. In this exhibit, visitors often see something that reminds them of a shared experience their parents or grandparents might have discussed. 

Why did we create this exhibit?

Because we truly have an inspiring story about hard work, the strength of family ties, and the sacrifices made by one generation to benefit the next. We want to make sure that current and future generations learn about our past and share it with their children.

We created this exhibit because we want to make sure that current and future generations know this story and are reminded of it. We want to make sure our children learn our history, come to appreciate Erie County and have pride in their hometown. We want to make sure that we never forget where we came from as we plan where we’re going. The Story of Us is history that inspires.

Join us as we bring this exhibit and much more to the Erie community and beyond. Help us tell our story to countless school-age children as they learn about and become proud of their home in Erie County, PA.

Support the Hagen History Center’s Annual fund and help us continue bringing history that inspires and telling our story.

You will be providing opportunities to support student field trips, to maintain the campus, and to help promote Erie’s heritage for current and future generations. You can make your donation by using the form below or by going online to www.eriehistory.org/donate.

Since 1903, Erie County Historical Society has been dedicated to collecting, preserving, and promoting the study of our region’s rich history for future generations. We invite you to join us in this mission.

Thank you for your consideration.

Annual Fund Form

Why donate to the Hagen History Center?        

We preserve history and we share it with you!

Since 1898, we’ve been active in restoring and sharing history with more than 46,000 square feet of exhibit space on 132 acres of property in Girard and Erie. In addition to tours, we offer a wide variety of activities for people of all ages to enjoy. Here are just a few:

• Nearly 500 visitors experienced our walking tour of historic West Sixth Street homes during the summer. Dozens more participated in our Hidden Erie Bus tour.
• Thousands of students from Pennsylvania and Ohio have toured our Erie campus exhibits during student field trips and learned about Victorian homes, the Erie Extension Canal, Frank Lloyd Wright’s office, Griswold cookware, Erie’s history with the U.S. Navy and much more. We also offer a camp for middle school students known as History Detectives Summer Camp.
• Need a speaker? Our staff members visit schools and civic organizations with programming, online lessons, videos, traveling trunks of artifacts – all at no charge.
• Our Girard campus, home to the Battles estate and two historic homes, has new life with an apartment for rent on Airbnb and multiple seasonal festivities, including farm-to-table dinners.
• More than 1,000 visitors toured our Erie campus one Sunday a month free for the entire year.
• Dozens of brides and others held one-of-a-kind events on our historic campuses in Erie and Girard.
• Research! We have more than 200 years’ worth of research. If you need something, we know how to find it.

What was new in 2022?     

In addition to The Story of Us, we opened the Curtze Legacy exhibit that shares many of the Curtze family possessions and history. The family generously donated the mansion to the History Center, and it features furnishings, paintings, and history of the family that purchased the home after the Watsons sold it. 

What is coming next?

In November, we open our Hunting and Fishing exhibit, and a special collection of dollhouses will also be on display. Victorian Holidays kicks off with free admission from December 1 to 4, thanks to our gold sponsor Erie Federal Credit Union and bronze sponsors Erie Insurance and Erie Community Foundation.

In 2023, we plan to continue and expand our offerings. The annual operating budget of $1.4 million includes revenue from endowment income, donations, grants, event income, Annual Fund, memberships, admissions and gift shop sales. While we have received major donations supporting capital projects, we count on fundraising events and the Annual Fund to support our operating budget.

Please help us continue our mission to collect, preserve and share our region’s history.

Thank you for your consideration.