Doesn't this baby look cute smiling for the camera? It's little Phillip A. Currie, the official Erie Centennial baby. Even though he was much too young to grow a beard, he's got a "Brothers of the Brush" button pinned to his cloth diaper.
I'm not sure what events he was involved in back in August of 1951, or how he was chosen to represent Erie. I have not been able to find a family member to ask. Phillip was born around '49 and was the son of Clyde Currie.
Phillip Currie, where are you?
Find your friends at Old Time Erie
The Erie Centennial Festivities began with a bang on August 11, 1951, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the incorporation of Erie, PA. The celebration made the front page of the Erie Dispatch. Look closely at events that shaped the history of Erie, including the Wayne Blockhouse, the U.S. Brig Niagara, Presque Isle Lighthouse, the Custom House, the Erie Extension Canal, the Millcreek Flood, Vet's Hospital, the Erie Stadium (Veteran's Memorial Stadium) and a salute to veterans of the Civil War, World War I, World War II and the Korean Conflict.
Events were reported in the Erie Dispatch and WICU TV, shown in the center.
I'm not sure why it's included here, but the Atomic Bomb is illustrated on the right. Any theories on this one?
Here's a souvenir from the Erie Centennial: http://oldtimeerie.blogspot.com/2013/05/erie-centennial-felt-hat.html
Enjoy more historic facts and photos of Erie, PA at: oldtimeerie.blogspot.com
One of the fun things about writing a blog about Erie history is helping people identify cool things that they find in their attics. I get some pretty interesting questions and pictures of Erie memorabilia via e-mail.
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
The City of Erie, PA held Northwestern Pennsylvania's Greatest Celebration on September 10th and 11th, 1895.
In addition to parades and decorations, the city issued a collectible bronze token with the majestic old city hall on the obverse.
The reverse of the token, pictured here, was a tribute to Oliver Hazard Perry and his heroic role in the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812. As his flagship Lawrence was sinking on Sept. 10, 1813, Perry boarded a lifeboat which was rowed to the Niagara. Perry sent the victorious message to his commander, "We have met the enemy, and they are ours."
Enjoy more historic facts and photos of Erie, PA at: oldtimeerie.blogspot.com
Coins were also issued for the Perry Sesquicentennial in 1963: http://oldtimeerie.blogspot.com/2013/03/perry-sesquicentennial-1963-carnival.html
