Erie Maritime Museum interprets the naval and commercial history of Lake Erie, with the reconstructed U.S. Brig Niagara as its central draw. The War of 1812 story is especially strong, tying Erie to the Battle of Lake Erie and Commodore Perry's fleet.
The museum works for both maritime-history specialists and casual waterfront visitors. When the brig is in port, seeing the vessel turns the exhibits from abstract lake history into something immediate and physical.