Erie Maritime Museum & U.S. Brig Niagara

09/03/2026

We're Hiring!

Are ready to seize the opportunity to serve as Chief Mate aboard one of the nation's finest tall ships?

PHMC is looking for an enthusiastic, hard-working & experienced person to serve as Chief Mate aboard the U.S. Brig Niagara, Pennsylvania's Flagship. ➡ https://bit.ly/460udGL

As Chief Mate, you'll work with the Captain to oversee ship operations & maintenance, as well as the delivery of ship-based educational programs. You'll supervise the crew and trainees, teaching them the skills of traditional seamanship.

If this sounds like a good fit, we'd need to hear from you. Deadline to apply is 9/17.

09/03/2026

News from the museum for Friday, September 4th.

09/02/2026

History, recreation, and tourism all meet right here on the Erie waterfront!

Today, the Erie Maritime Museum had the distinct privilege of hosting a joint legislative meeting for the Game & Fisheries and Tourism, Recreation & Economic Development committees.

There is no better backdrop to discuss Pennsylvania's economic and recreational future than the Erie Maritime Museum and the recently refit U.S. Brig Niagara! We loved getting the chance to show off the Commonwealth's flagship and share our ongoing mission to preserve our incredible maritime heritage for future generations.

08/30/2026

We had a beautiful day Wednesday. Niagara’s fore topmast has pushed up and has been fully installed!

We could not have done it without our awesome volunteers, staff, and crew!

Stay tuned for more updates!

08/28/2026

Pardon our dust as we protect our history!

Big things are happening at the Erie Maritime Museum! We are currently undergoing a facility-wide climate control upgrade to ensure our incredible collections are safely preserved for generations to come.

To keep our most sensitive artifacts safe from construction dust as well as temperature and humidity fluctuations, our curators have temporarily moved about 50 items—including our iconic Battle of Lake Erie painting—into secure, climate-controlled storage.

Because our galleries look a little different right now, we are excited to offer "Pay As You Wish" admission through December 2026!

We invite you to come down, see the remaining exhibits, view the Niagara, and enjoy the waterfront for whatever donation amount you choose. Thank you for your patience as we improve your museum!

08/21/2026

Erie Maritime Museum Announces Critical Infrastructure Upgrades and Temporary “Pay As You Wish” Admission
Because visitors will not be receiving the standard, full-gallery experience while artifacts are safely stored, PHMC has authorized the "Pay As You Wish" model to ensure equitable access. Beginning August 22, guests can enjoy the museum's remaining exhibits, public programming, and views of the U.S. Brig Niagara for a donation amount of their choosing. See details below!

08/17/2026

It has been an exciting, hands-on week at the Erie Maritime Museum! On Wednesday, we housed the Niagara's topmast using the ships capstan. We had an excellent question that came out of that process: how would the up-rig of a ship have been completed in the age of sail?

In short, it was muscle and mechanics! The entire process would have been done using the capstan, just as we did: manually lifting each piece, spar, mast, rigging, into place, building from the bottom-up using the trunk of the masts. Think of it like building a skyscraper: you use the strong lower levels as the foundation to hoist and build the next level up.

This video, from Captain Wes Heerssen’s YouTube channel, shows exactly how the process works from start to finish!

A short time-lapse loop of the crew of the US Brig Niagara removing...

08/13/2026

Today in U.S. Navy history, U.S.S. "Essex" captures H.M.S. "Alert" in 1812, becoming the first Royal Navy warship captured in the War of 1812.

"Essex" was an American 32 gun frigate under the command of Capt. David Porter, while "Alert" was a British 20 gun sloop commanded by Capt. Thomas Laugharne. The battle, if it can be called that, lasted less than 10 minutes. The backstory of the battle is perhaps even more interesting than the action itself.

"Essex" has been sailing alone in July 1812 when a British Convoy was spotted heading to Quebec. Porter disguised "Essex" as a merchant ship by keeping the gunports closed, sails in a more disordered fashion and minimal crew on deck. This was enough for him to near and slip into the convoy overnight and capture the merchant "Samuel and Sarah". He subsequently captured seven more ships over the intervening weeks, which is a remarkable feat for any captain at the time and would result in a great amount of prize money for him and his crew. Porter was not done though.

On August 13th, 1812, the lookout spotted another sail, it was the "Alert". Porter once again made his ship appear to be a merchantman and "Alert" closed the range to within a couple of miles before uncovering the deception. Capt. Laugharne continued to close the range after discovering he could not outrun the "Essex". "Alert" opened fire but did little damage, "Essex" however fired a devastating broadside and "Alert" struck her colors after one broadside, thus becoming the first British warship to surrender during the War of 1812.

08/04/2026

A big happy 236th Birthday to the U.S. Coast Guard!

08/01/2026

Important Volunteering Update for this Tuesday, 8/4/26.