The Lettie G. Howard is a historic schooner currently operated by the Flagship Niagara League(FNL) in Erie and owned by the South Street Seaport Museum(SSSM) in New York City. Built in 1893 in Essex, Massachusetts, the Lettie G. Howard began her life as a fishing schooner, plying the waters of the Atlantic Ocean for cod and halibut. Over the years, the Lettie G. Howard transitioned through various roles, from fishing vessel to cargo carrier and even as a yacht.
In 2018, the Flagship Niagara League entered into a programmatic collaboration with the South Street Seaport MuseumThe South Street Seaport Museum (SSSM) is a cultural institution located in the historic South Street Seaport district of Manhattan, New York City. Established in 1967, it aims to ..., leasing the Lettie G. Howard. For the FNL, this collaboration aimed to diversify fundraising methods for the Brig Niagara, particularly through educational day sails in the Erie Bayfront.
The decision to lease the Lettie G. Howard also partially stemmed from pressures from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum CommissionThe Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) is the state agency that stewards the U.S. Brig Niagara and Erie Maritime Museum. The PHMC is responsible for the collect... (PHMC) regarding the absence of the Brig Niagara from the Erie Maritime MuseumThe Erie Maritime Museum (EMM) is a cultural institution located in Erie, Pennsylvania, dedicated to preserving and showcasing the region's maritime heritage. Established in 1997, ... during summer months due to the requirements of FNL’s sail training program and her mission as defined by section 705 of the PA history code. The FNL assumed the bulk of operational funding and maintenance responsibilities for the Brig Niagara in 2009 after PHMC tried to shutter sailing operations aboard Niagara following budget cuts from the 2008 financial recession.
By incorporating the Lettie G. Howard into its fleet, the FNL sought to address these concerns while simultaneously expanding its educational offerings and fundraising capabilities. The Lettie‘s involvement provided additional opportunities for maritime education and outreach, while also honoring the vessel’s own storied history.
The future operations of the Lettie G. Howard in Erie now face uncertainty due to PHMC’s demands that FNL divest itself of the vessel to resume its role as an associate’s group. FNL staff are now looking to find or form a new organization to take on the Lettie‘s programming in Erie.