Erie Maritime Museum

The Erie Maritime Museum is a community gathering place welcoming audiences of all abilities and backgrounds to gather and experience the maritime history & heritage of the Commonwealth, including civilian activity and innovation, military service, and Pennsylvania’s contributions to the Great Lakes industry and our environment.

The Erie Maritime Museum & U.S. Brig Niagara are owned and administered by the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission. On May 21, 1998, the Erie Maritime Museum opened for the first time to the public in PENELEC’s former Front Street Station which was in operation from 1917 to the 1980s. Inside the building were five coal-fired steam generators which served to generate electricity and steam heat for much of downtown Erie, Pennsylvania.

Remnants of PENELEC’s presence on the property can be found to this day. Visitors to the museum can view the original smoke stack which rests to the west of the parking lot. Additionally, once inside, guests are able to view a General Electric steam-powered generator and the station’s original crane, which still works today. When Penelec decided to shut down its Front Street operation, the goal was to tear down the structure. Plans changed after local officials convinced Penelec to save the building for future use.

When the current version of the US Brig Niagara was completed in 1990, it needed a new home. In 1993, Niagara was berthed at the end of Holland Street, just to the east of its current location. Finally, in 1997 the Erie Maritime Museum began constructing its exhibits and displays before opening 25 years ago in May 1998.