A companion piece to “What Comes Next for Niagara,” this public action guide explains how supporters can contact officials, request a public forum, and help shape Brig Niagara’s future.
What Comes Next for Niagara: Public Action Guide
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Testimonial: Don’t Give Up the Ship
Niagara was never just wood, canvas, and iron. She was made alive by the shipmates who served her: crew, volunteers, trainees, staff, donors, families, and a community that refused to let Pennsylvania’s flagship become a silent exhibit.
This is a personal account of what that community built, what was lost when the ship was separated from it, and why we should not give up the ship
Niagara’s 2025 Ste. Lawrence Seaway Transit: A Timeline
A timeline of the last transit Niagara took through the St. Lawrence Seaway to find potential watch points for the return transit.
Sink or Swim: More than a Ship, a Way of Life
A former Niagara sailor discusses how Niagara saved their life while questioning if PHMC is qualified to care for her long term.
U.S. Brig Niagara Contracted Scope of Work and Shipyard Reports
Niagara continues to undergo shipyard repairs at Boothbay. Let’s look at how repairs are progressing given the initial scope of work.
Tall Ships Erie: PHMC Delays Prevent Niagara from Attending
One year ago, the PA Historical & Museum Commission (PHMC) announced that Niagara would not be attending Tall Ships Erie. To compound that disappointment, a May 16 Erie Times-News article reported that PHMC has shifted from promising Niagara’s return for the PA...
PHMC Illegally Hires Canadians to Sail as Niagara’s Crew
PHMC was caught illegally hiring Canadians to sail as Niagara crew on a recent trip to shipyard raising concerns over PHMC’s actions.
PHMC says… Don’t worry! We’ve got Niagara covered!
It’s well into February and PHMC has only managed to install 1/4 of Niagara’s winter cover after dragging their heels to prepare. The community has noticed…
PHMC Reprimanded by Auditor General in 2010: How Little Has Changed (Part 2)
The second installment of this trilogy dives deeper into the missteps and ongoing inefficiencies of the PHMC, following their 2010 reprimand by the Auditor General. Spoiler alert: progress is hard to find.
PHMC Gives Up The Ship to… Canada?
Concerns grow over the future of PHMC’s stewardship of Niagara as they outsource her crew to a Canadian company.
Open Letter to PHMC Commissioners and NW PA Legislators:
A concerned volunteer voices concerns to PHMC commissioners and state representatives over reducing Niagara’s ties to the Erie community.
PHMC Reprimanded by Auditor General in 2010: How Little Has Changed (Part 1)
In 2010, the Pennsylvania Auditor General expressed deep concerns over PHMC’s handling of artifacts. If PHMC is lax in their own professional sphere, why should we trust them in maritime affairs? With the operations and maintenance of the U.S. Brig Niagara?
Consequences Begin: Niagara Removed From Tall Ships Erie 2025
PHMC’s delays over Niagara’s care now have very real consequences as PHMC announces that Niagara will not attend Tall Ships Erie 2025.
Talk is Cheap: Why PHMC Has A Trust Problem
PHMC says that we should trust them. Let’s take a look at PHMC’s broken promises to see if they can be trusted.
Testimonial: A Life Transformed
Former Niagara deckhand Hank describes how sailing on Niagara transformed his life and was a catalyst for a career change.
EMM Site Administrator Jim Hall: In His Own Words
An in depth look into a concerning meeting that was held between EMM Site Administrator Jim Hall and a volunteer.
Niagara’s Captain: An Inside Look Into the Hiring Process
PHMC has yet to publicly post the position for Niagara’s Captain, but they claim the search is ongoing. How could this be and how open is it?
Addendum: Fact Check on the PHMC Emails Revealed in “Shipwrecked by Command!”
The blog post “Shipwrecked by Command! How PHMC Cast Away its Volunteers” includes several documents from our Right to Know Requests. We felt those documents deserved additional context, but including it in the piece focused on volunteers did not feel like the right...
Will Niagara Attend the 250th Anniversary of the US Navy?
The US Navy will host it’s 250th Anniversary in Philadelphia in 2025. Niagara was originally going to be one of the centerpieces of the celebration. However, PHMC is no longer planning on taking her. What happened and can she still attend?
Shipwrecked by Command! How PHMC Cast Away its Volunteers
PHMC’s meddling throws Erie’s volunteer ship crew into stormy waters, disrupting a vibrant community built on love for the Brig Niagara. Despite bureaucratic buffeting, they refuse to abandon ship. Smooth sailing? Not with PHMC at the helm.