Erie in Erie County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Watson-Curtze Mansion

Photographed by Mark Parker, July 15, 2026

1. Watson-Curtze Mansion Marker

Inscription. This Gilded Age mansion is one of the largest and most lavish along Erie's 'Millionaire's Row.' It was built in 1889-1891 for one of the wealthiest men in Erie, roofing material magnate Harrison Watson and his wife Carrie. The Watsons employed several servants who lived in the backrooms of the mansion. The property was inherited by their daughter, Winifred Watson Griswold in 1923, and then sold to banker Frederick Curtze. At his death in 1941, the Curtze family donated the house to the Erie School District for use as a museum.

[Sidebar]
Winifred's Room
Winifred Watson grew up in this house from age 7 in 1891, until she married in 1910 at age 26. She lived a life of privilege far above most children in Erie at the time. Winifred's second floor bedroom now features an exhibit specifically designed for young children to explore the differences and similarities between their own lives and those of Winifred and her contemporaries.

Erie's Museum
For decades, Watson-Curtze Mansion was home to the Erie Public Museum, a branch of the Erie School District. In 1979, it became the independent Erie Historical Museum and Planetarium. The Museum merged with the Erie County Historical Society in 2000. As part of the Hagen History Center, the mansion now features Period Rooms, Collections Galleries, a Civil War exhibit, and a variety of temporary exhibits.

[Captions]
Harrison Watson in his library, ca. 1900.
Winnifred Watson in her bedroom with a governess, ca. 1895

Erected by Hagen

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Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1889.

Location. 42° 7.616′ N, 80° 5.608′ W. Marker is in Erie, Pennsylvania, in Erie County. It can be reached from West 6th Street (Alternate Pennsylvania Route 5) east of Chestnut Street, on the left when traveling east. The marker is located on the east side of the Watson-Curtze Mansion, which is part of the Hagen History Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 356 W 6th Street, Erie PA 16507, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Northwestern Pennsylvania.

It is also in the American Northeast,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within

Watson-Curtze Mansion Marker on the east side of the mansion image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, July 15, 2026

2. Watson-Curtze Mansion Marker on the east side of the mansion

walking distance of this marker: Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry (a few steps from this marker); Wood-Morrison House (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Watson-Curtze Mansion (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Wood-Morrison House (within shouting distance of this marker); Canalside Townhouses (within shouting distance of this marker); Erie Extension Canal (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Canalside Townhouses (within shouting distance of this marker); Selden House (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Erie.

View of the Watson-Curtze Mansion from West 6th Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, July 15, 2026

3. View of the Watson-Curtze Mansion from West 6th Street

Credits. This page was last revised on September 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 15, 2026, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 9 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 15, 2026, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.