Protect Brig Niagara's Mission
Our goal is to ensure that the Brig Niagara is in the hands of people who can maintain her and operate her safely, successfully, and transparently as an actively sailing vessel in her role as ambassador for the people and history of Pennsylvania.
We do not seek to represent just one voice, but to provide a platform for the community of people who love Niagara and are concerned for her future.
Newest Articles
How to Get Involved
Sign the Petition
Protect Brig Niagara has a petition demanding a public meeting with PHMC leadership and local legislators to ask for PHMC’s plans.
Sign and add your voice, share the petition with friends.
Join the Discussion
Join our Facebook group to see when new articles come in and connect with the Niagara community.
Comment to share your perspective or reach out to us if you have a testimonial about your experience with Niagara to share
Contact Local Officials
Raise your voice to let your local representatives know how much you care about your ship!
As Pennsylvania’s Flagship, Niagara represents an important and living part of our local, regional, and national history so your support matters wherever you are!
Full Archive
Niagara League Board President Gives Up The Ship?
Protect Brig Niagara advocates for transparency and accountability in managing U.S. Brig Niagara. Recent revelations expose concerning ties between FNL’s Board President and PHMC administrators, undermining accountability and risking Niagara’s integrity. With recently discovered emails revealing compromised negotiations, it’s time for scrutiny. Don’t let Niagara’s legacy falter. Demand answers.
Testimonial: US Brig Niagara Volunteering Changed My Life
This is one of several testimonials that were written in late 2021 and early 2022 by US Brig Niagara volunteers in support of keeping Niagara sailing. They were sent to local state legislators and PHMC administrators. October 9, 2021 To Whom It May Concern, The purpose of my letter is to share my experiences with and my gratitude for the volunteer opportunities with the US Brig Niagara. ...
Petition Update: Volunteers Meet with PHMC Commissioner
On Feb 7, 2024, a PHMC commissioner graciously sat down with a handful of volunteers. Here are the questions, answers, and discussions we had. And… here’s an offer from PHMC’s Director of External Affairs that came about as a direct result of that meeting. (You’ll have to read to the end for more on that…) A Niagara supporter reached out to PHMC Commissioner, Cal Pifer. Pifer is local to Erie,...
Petition Update: Niagara Job Posted, Sailing God Wanted!
Well, PHMC has finally managed to get one of the Niagara jobs posted. And it’s a doozey! Shipwright, Engineer, Able-Bodied Seafarer, Volunteer Wrangler, Project Planner… the list of duties seems to cross all departments without regard for practicality or feasibility. Come do it all! The job posting went live Tuesday, Feb 20th. It took PHMC two and a half months after sending the letter...
Testimonial: A Letter from Muriel Curtis
This is an open letter from Muriel Curtis. Muriel is the director of the Station Maine, a youth rowing & leadership development program which operates near Rockland, ME. Station Maine formed a collaborative partnership with the FNL to bring some of her students aboard Niagara for a week long program. Her letter speaks to the good Niagara and her crew was able to accomplish.
Testimonial: Collected Letters from Station Maine
These are a collection of letters from Muriel Curtis to then Senior Captain & PHMC Site Administer, Walter Rybka. Muriel is the director of the Station Maine, a youth rowing & leadership development program which operates near Rockland, ME. Station Maine formed a collaborative partnership with the FNL to bring some of her students aboard Niagara for a week long program. As these letters testify, the program had immense impacts on her students.
https://www.stationmaine.org/
Petition Update: How much is this costing tax payers?
Our petition work is ongoing but on the surface it may appear a bit quieter. We are busy meeting with relevant parties and gathering resources. We are still hard at work, but as stated in the last update, we’ve got to stop feeding PHMC what their job duties are and give them the space to succeed or fail on their own. Part of that includes seeing how this new cover fares in the weather. We have...
Petition Update: We’ve Only Just Begun…
After reaching 1,000 petition signatures we delivered the petition to Rep. Pat Harkins, Sen. Dan Laughlin, and the Governor’s local representative, Mike Ferritto, asking them to call for a public forum on Niagara. We also shared the petition and request for a public forum with PHMC Executive Director, Andrea LoweryAndrea Lowery, serves as Executive Director and Chief of the Division of Architecture and Preservation for PHMC.. But we’re nowhere near done! As the petition grows we will continue updating...
Petition Update: Recent News Coverage Highlights Niagara Maintenance Concerns
This petition demands a public meeting to discuss PHMC and the Erie Maritime Museum’s plans and ability to maintain the U.S. Brig Niagara. The recent winter weather has brought volunteer concerns to life. We asked what happens if a storm rips the cover, or a seiche comes up. Within two weeks of Niagara being without captain or crew to care for her, we have had both weather events, plus ongoing...
Testimonial: A Eulogy for NIAGARA
This is a blog post shared by Hope Collins, a former crewmember of Niagara, on her personal blog. We encourage you to visit and see the impact Niagara’s sailing programs can have on the lives of her students and crew, few could say it better.
See the original at:
https://ladymarinerblog.wordpress.com/2024/01/17/a-eulogy-for-niagara/