Our History

To celebrate the centennial of the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812, Oliver Hazard Perry's flagship Niagara was raised from the bottom of Misery Bay where it had sat for 93 years. Also known as the U.S. Brig Niagara, the ship was returned to Erie where it underwent a major restoration over the following decades. The ship contributed to Erie becoming known as the “Flagship City.”