Question: "When I was a little girl, in the late 40s or probably the early 50s, there was a centennial celebration at which Mom & Dad bought me a hat. I am unable to find the year. Perhaps you can help me. It is black felt and sort of a Peter Pan style. There used to be a large feather on the side."
Answer: Well, Lynette, it looks like you have a souvenir from the Erie Centennial, a weeklong celebration that took place in Downtown Erie August 11-18, 1951. Erie had existed as a borough since the early 1800s. It became an incorporated city in 1851. In the old days, the city would throw a party at the drop of a hat- huge celebrations- complete with parades, marching bands, plays and pageants. Many of the events centered around Perry Square.
If you have an Erie item that could someday show up on Antique's Roadshow, take a picture and I'll research it. Send it by e-mail to: dlyontamer@gmail.com
Enjoy more historic facts and photos of Erie, PA at: oldtimeerie.blogspot.com
For the centennial, men were "required " to grow beards or purchase a "shaving permit." You could also obtain wooden "nickels"
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