2022 National Forge Exhibit event
September 29, 2022 |
The stories of the Wilder Museum of Warren County History
and the National Forge Company have a rich history with one another. To honor
this relationship and to recognize the history of the National Forge, the
Wilder Museum, 51 Erie Avenue, Irvine, PA 16329, will host an open house
highlighting the spacious National Forge Exhibit Room on Thursday, September 29,
2022 from 6-8PM.
Founded in 1915 by Clinton E. Wilder, the National Forge
Company began as the National Forge and Tool Company in Erie. The company quickly
purchased the Irvine Steel Forge Company as an additional facility and eventually
moved the entire operation to Irvine in 1917. The company became a major
producer of large, precision machined steel forgings with many employees
contributing to the company’s success throughout history.
Seventy-five years later, Robert O. Wilder, chairman of
the company’s board of directors and president of the National Forge Company,
initiated the establishment of a museum to honor his father, hold archives
relevant to the National Forge Company, and display artifacts from the
Brokenstraw Valley area. In 1991, the Clinton E. Wilder Historical Museum
opened in the former Irvine school building which was built in 1940 on land that
had appropriately been donated by Clinton E. Wilder.
In 1996, the Warren County Historical Society was gifted
the museum (now known as the Wilder Museum of Warren County History) which is
home to almost 4,000 artifacts in 17 exhibit rooms dedicated to Warren County
history. One such room is the National Forge Exhibit Room which contains
various machinery, equipment, photos, a 1963 Mercedes Benz once owned by Robert
Wilder, large weapons, such as a 37 mm anti-tank gun and a torpedo, and
extensive additional artifacts.
This event is free and open to the public. Donations are
welcome. For more information, please call (814)723-1795, visit www.warrenhistory.org, or like the
Wilder Museum on Facebook.
|
Website:
warrencountyhistory.org |
|
Location Information |
Wilder Museum |
51 Erie Street Irvine, PA 16329 |
Website:
warrenhistory.org |
|
Contact Information |
Wilder Museum of Warren County History |
Email:
warrenhistory@aol.com |
Phone:
814-723-1795 |
|