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Who is Erie Yesterday?
Erie County, Pennsylvania has a rich history. So rich in fact the county boasts more than twenty museums and historical societies. In 1981, under the direction of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, these organizations came together to create Erie Yesterday. Through Erie Yesterday, we work collaboratively to promote, preserve and maintain Erie County’s heritage. To view a listing of current consortium members see Our Members.

Want to become a member?
Erie Yesterday offers two types of memberships, organizational membership and individual membership. Visit our Join Us page to learn more.

How can you contribute to Erie Yesterday’s website?
Organizations, local history groups and the public are encouraged to contribute to Erie Yesterday’s website. As you review the interactive site, you will find opportunities to submit information. If you would like to submit a feature article, news or event for publication on Erie Yesterday’s Home page, please send us an email. Erie Yesterday volunteers review all submissions and will publish approved content within one week of receipt.

Feature Articles

  • Dr. Helen Pollay Weeks
    Article contributed by the Fairview Area Historical Society This year several member organizations of Erie Yesterday, a county-wide group of museums and historical societies, put together program for ...(read more)
  • Highway Patrol Officer Swanson Killed in North East
    By Dick Tefft Many people in North East know of the memorial on West Main Street dedicated to the patrolman that was shot on the streets of North East, but I am sure many don’t know the details o ...(read more)
  • Where Men and Boys Became Soldiers
    The History of Camp Reed By Eric Marshall By the time Abraham Lincoln took the oath of office as President of the United States on Monday, March 4, 1861, the national upheaval of secession was a ...(read more)
  • Settlement of the Erie Triangle
    A Slow Start After the American Revolution (1775–1783), the newly formed state of Pennsylvania looked forward to expanding settlement of its western lands.  The territory known as the “Erie Tria ...(read more)
  • A Man Nationally Known and Locally Forgotten (Until Now)
    Francis Newton Thorpe (1857-1926) During the short life of North East’s Lake Shore Seminary, the school helped shape a few hundred students into bright, ambitious young men and women.  Include ...(read more)