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Pat Monahan, singer, songwriter, musician and actor was born and raised in Erie, Pennsylvania. Born on February 28, 1969. the youngest of seven children of Jack and Patricia Ann Monahan, he attended McDowell High School in Millcreek Township and Edinboro University of Pennsylvania.

Have you ever heard of the “Gibson Girl”?  These pen and ink drawings were created by Charles Dana Gibson (1867-1944) and published in “Life” magazine beginning in 1890.  Referred to as the first pin-up girl, she was an idealized version of American young womanhood and every man’s dream.

Over 150 years after the Civil War, the name of George G. Meade is not well known outside the world of scholars and students of that war, overshadowed by U.S. Grant and shunned by the press, Meade deserves to be recognized for his victory at Gettysburg and his command of the Army of the Potomac longer than any other general. 

Paul A. Siple, the man who coined the meteorological term “wind chill” a phrase now commonplace in winter weather reports on the news, was born in Montpelier, Ohio, on December 18, 1908. The Siple family moved to Erie, Pennsylvania, where he graduated from Central High School in 1926. In 1923, Siple became an Eagle Scout and earned 59 merit badges.

As a tribute to Black History Month, Hagen History Center is hosting The Beauty of a Colorful Mind; Honoring the Past while Inspiring a Brilliant Future, Poetry Hour. 

Jarecki, one name, two different companies here in Erie County.  One began in the mid-1800s, the other in the mid-1900s.  The first was the Jarecki Manufacturing Company begun by Henry Jarecki, the second is Jarecki Valves begun by Frank Jarecki and no, they are not related.

Who needs Valentine’s Day when you can focus on health and history with your closest gal pals on GALentines Day?  During this time of limited social gatherings, Hagen History Center would like to invite you to GALentines Day Yoga, Yoga with Abi; a fun virtual yoga experience the day before Valentine’s Day! Abi will lead you through an hour-fifteen-minute Hatha Yoga Flow with emphasis on expanding your heart chakra beginning at 10 AM via Zoom.  After yoga spoil yourself with a take-home box filled with sweet treats along with a 350mL bottle of Mazza white wine!

Brigadier General Richard Elmer Ellsworth was a true pioneer in the use of weather reporting and research for the Air Force during the Cold War. Born in Erie, Pennsylvania, on July 18,1911, Ellsworth joined the Pennsylvania National Guard in 1929 and was accepted into the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, in 1931.

Brian Gorman, Vice President of Operations at Waldameer and Water World will examine the history of one of the region’s oldest and iconic amusement parks from the beginning to today.

Do you remember last Summer?  Beautiful and mainly rain free, the Coronavirus encouraged everyone to go outside as much as possible and I did!  Long walks were the order of each day and I even got a chance to visit some areas of the city that I had never explored before.  Maybe you have heard of them, walked through these areas, or perhaps even live there, however; it was a first-time real treat for me. We have such great tucked away treasures in Erie.  The following are two such areas.