Watson-Curtze Mansion

The Watson-Curtze Mansion is a Romanesque Revival building in Erie featuring three and one-half stories with brownstone walls adorned with carved capitals and recessed windows. It contains twenty-four rooms, twelve fireplaces, and intricate architectural detailing throughout its interior spaces.

The mansion was constructed in 1891 for paper industrialist Harrison Watson, reflecting the wealth generated by the paper industry at that time. It was converted into a museum setting after 1941 and now operates within the Hagen History Center framework.

The interior displays intricate craftsmanship from the late Victorian era, including Tiffany light fixtures decorated with cherubs and peacocks alongside hand-carved woodwork on walls and ceilings. Visitors can observe these artisan details throughout the rooms and gain a sense of how affluent families lived during that time period.

The mansion operates as part of the Hagen History Center and offers self-guided tours for visitors to explore at their own pace. It sits on West Sixth Street and maintains regular operating hours throughout the week, so it is helpful to confirm current hours before planning your visit.

The third floor contains a ballroom with a dedicated musicians' balcony and original chandeliers from the time of construction. Harrison Watson's office preserves narrow specialized drawers that were designed specifically for storing his insect collection.

Location: Erie

Architects: Edward Brodhead Green

Architectural style: Romanesque Revival architecture

GPS coordinates: 42.12639,-80.09333

Latest update: December 12, 2025 14:23