About Eagles Mere’s #1 History Museum

The Eagles Mere Museum, located in the Endless Mountains of Pennsylvania, is dedicated to preserving the rich history of Eagles Mere by collecting, preserving and exhibiting the area’s culture, history and heritage for years to come.

The Eagles Mere Museum, built by a world-class museum designer, is on the National Register of Historic Places and a member of the Pennsylvania Association of Museums.

History of the Eagles Mere Museum

In the early 1980s, Raymond “Bud” Watts tried several times to create a space that could preserve the town’s rich history and culture. He first asked the Borough Council to use the old schoolhouse on Laporte Avenue but was turned down.

In 1985, Carol “Joanne” Smith became interested in helping Bud create a museum. With the added support they received permission from the Federated Church to use the old Baptist Church/Parsonage. They repaired, scrubbed, and painted, finally creating a place to call home. The museum paid the Federated Church about $400 per year for rent and utilities.

Later that year, the Borough Council was asked to write an ordinance creating a museum and Historical Commission to oversee the operations of the museum and be responsible for the receipt and preservation of artifacts.

In January 1986, the council appointed the first museum board: Joanne Smith, Bud Watts, Daisy Dunham, Josephine Fiegles, and Doris Houseknecht.

Sadly, Bud Watts passed away in 1990. He left the museum a $25,000 endowment, to be administered by the Borough Council to ensure the museum would have funds to operate well into the future. Elaine Mudrick was added to the board that year to replace Bud as treasurer. Joanne and the others carried on for many more years and were joined by Bush and Barbie James in 1995 and 1997. Other members were added as the museum grew.

The little museum in the parsonage flourished and many new items and histories were collected over the years. Unfortunately, the condition of these artifacts deteriorated in the damp, cold building where they were displayed. In 2000, an idea was conceived to preserve and renovate the downtown area of Eagles Mere, which would provide an environmentally controlled home for the museum. Thus the Eagles Mere Historic Village, Inc. was formed.

This group of concerned, talented, and proactive Eagles Mereians joined forces with the Borough Council and the museum to bring it all together. The borough supplied $100,000 of the overall $500,000 in funds toward the renovation and move of the museum. 

After seven years, on August 25, 2007, the new Eagles Mere Museum was dedicated and took its place in the remodeled General Store as the anchor of the new downtown village. Eagles Mere Borough then signed a 25-year lease with Eagles Mere Historic Village.

(A thank you goes out to Kay Wilson for much of this history)

Eagles Mere Museum Mission

The mission of the Eagles Mere Museum is engaging, informing and inspiring people as they learn about the history and heritage of Eagle Mere.

Our Exhibits Include:

• Trains
• Glassworks
• Victorian Cottages
• Hotels
• Schools
• Beach Activities
• Churches
• Agriculture
• Chautauqua
• Lake Steamers & People
• Souvenirs
• Toboggan Slide
• Maps
• Sports