Historical Societies

Historical Societies are an often overlooked source for primary records.  It is worth contacting the Historical Society in your area of research to see what records they may have to assist you with your research.

PENNSYLVANIA - ERIE COUNTY

Erie County Historical Society; 
The Erie County Historical Society is a sister organization of the Erie Society of Genealogical Research. 
ESGR handles family history inquiries on behalf of both organizations. For inquiries use the Contact Us
page on this website or email us @ [email protected] The Erie County Historical Society's, Hagen History Center is located at 356 West 6th St., Erie, PA.  It is a public museum that focuses on the history of Erie County for the past 200 years. The museum includes exhibit buildings and archival and  curatorial collections.  There is also an additional campus known as the Battles Estates in Girard, Pennsylvania.  The museum is closed on Mondays.  For hours and more information go to https://eriehistory.catalogaccess

Corry Area Historical Society
Founded in 1965, the Corry Area Historical Society was formed after a group of local history buffs purchased a 1930s-era Climax logging steam locomotive to commemorate Corry's history as a vital rail junction during Pennsylvania's 19th Century oil boom. Today, the Society's Museum boasts 10,000 local artifacts and attracts approximately 3,000 visitors per year. **See also CAHS Facebook page. Hours: Memorial Day through Labor Day, Saturday and Sunday 2-4 p.m. or by appointment. Location: 945 Mead Avenue, PO Box 107, Corry, PA 16407 Phone: 814-664-4749 Email: [email protected].


Edinboro Area Historical Society
The Edinboro Area Historical Society is located in the historic Doucette House, an Italianate-style home built in 1861 and donated to the Society for use as a house museum. The home has been restored in 19th Century style and features numerous exhibits, as well as a collection of historical publications and histories of local organizations. Hours: Tuesday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon, April to December. Location: 126 Water Street, PO Box 18, Edinboro, PA 16412 Phone: 814-734-6109 Email: [email protected] Social Media: facebook.com/eahs.pa or search on Facebook for Edinboro Area Historical Society.  https://edinboro.pastperfectonline.com/

Elk Creek Township Historical Society - includes Albion
[email protected]
The historical society is located inside the Little Church on the Hill. Though, genealogical information is mostly housed at the Albion Public Library. Contact at the public library in Albion is Sarah Baumgardner

Fairview Area Historical Society
Housed in a restored circa 1838 house, called The Sturgeon House, the Society has collections of genealogical records, historic artifacts, and records. The building was once the home of Robert Sturgeon, son of a founding Fairview pioneer. Location: 4302 Avonia Road, P.O. Box 553, Fairview, PA 16415 Hours: By appointment. Call or email. Phone: 814-474-5855 Email: [email protected] Social Media: facebook.com/SturgeonHouse or search on Facebook for Fairview Area Historical Society. 

Fort Le Boeuf Historical Society - Waterford, PA 
Located in Waterford, PA's Eagle Hotel, which was built in 1826, and has been owned by the Society since 1977. The first floor houses Sugar & Spice, a home-style restaurant. The Society Museum maintains exhibits on the second floor. The Society also owns the Judson House, a Greek Revival home built in 1820, which serves as a house museum, and contains many exhibits, as well as a collection of genealogical information for the area. The Society's campus includes the adjacent Fort Le Boeuf Museum, and Washington Park, which contains a statue of the young George Washington. Hours: April to October, Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m to 3 p.m., or by appointment. Location: High Street at East 1st, P.O.Box 622, Waterford, PA 16441. Phone: 814-796-6030. Email: [email protected] Social Media: facebook.com/FortLeBoeufHistoricalSociety.

Harborcreek Historical Society
The Society is housed in the Gifford-Blanchfield House. Its collection includes a wide variety of historic documents and artifacts from Harborcreek Township, Erie County. Trained volunteers available to assist researchers. Walk-ins are welcome during regular hours. Summer Hours, April 1 to Nov 30: Tue, Wed and Sat, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Call or email to make special appointments. Location: 5661 Buffalo Road, P.O. Box 121, Harborcreek, PA 16421. Phone: 814-899-4447 Email: [email protected].


Lawrence Park Historical Society 
Email: [email protected]

North East Historical Society 
ESGR Ambassador - Dick Teftt
Extensive subject files and collections include antique furnishings, postcards, historic maps, and atlases; See links to genealogical information (births, deaths, marriages), cemetery readings for all North East cemeteries, family genealogies, and biographies. Hours: Friday-Saturday, 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., June through December. Or by appointment. Location: 25 Vine Street, North East, PA Contact: North East Historical Society, P.O. Box 483, North East, PA 16428 Email: [email protected] Phone: 814-403-8709L.

Union City Historical Society 
The Union City Historical Society Museum houses extensive collections of everyday items dating from the late 1700s through the 19th Century. In addition to farming, mining, lumbering, maple sugaring, police, fire, and medical equipment, the museum includes a one-room school, a music parlor, and projectors from the Old Palace Theater. Hours: Thursday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday, 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Location: 11 South Main, Union City, PA 16438 Phone: 814-438-7573.

Wattsburg Historical Society
The museum is housed in a restored grocery store with a period kitchen, living room, and bedroom of the early 20th Century, and features a large collection of genealogical records as well as photographs. Hours: Sundays, June through August, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., or by appointment.
Location: 14438 Main Street, P.O. Box 95, Wattsburg, PA 16442. Phone: 814-438-9226
or appointments, Donna Kennedy: (814) 739-2619.