Hazel Kibler Memorial Museum

The Hazel Kibler Museum, operated by the West County Historical Association, houses a large collection of artifacts reflecting the rich history of Girard and nearby western Erie County communities, including Lake City, Springfield, and Fairview.

Rotating exhibits display the museum's unique blend of eighteenth century furniture, period clothing, china, cookware, tools, musical instruments, military memorabilia, and antique toys. The museum also contains an extensive collection of early newspapers, photographs, maps, and scrapbooks from Girard and the surrounding area.

The West County Historical Association offers education programs that allow students to explore local history through lectures, stories, and hands-on activities. Students attending the programs will:

• Discover how a small group of daring local citizens helped escaping slaves to freedom on the Underground Railroad.
• Learn how the building of the Erie Canal caused Girard's population to double its size in the 1840s.
• Find out who Dan Rice was and how he transformed the quiet farming community of Girard into a "show town".
• Hear tales of ordinary Girard residents whose accomplishments made their lives extraordinary.

All educational programs with the exception of history camp are available at no charge to Erie County school students!

Programs are available throughout the school year and include:

• Walking tours of downtown Girard focusing on Girard's circus history, the Erie Canal era, local ghost stories and legends, and the area's involvement in the Underground Railroad.
• A living history program features Reverend Charles Shipman, superintendent of the Underground Railroad in western Erie County during the mid-nineteenth century. This program can be presented either in the classroom or at the Universalist Church, a former Underground Railroad station. The Church is located on Myrtle Street in Girard.
• Students may also explore the Underground Railroad in depth at our permanent exhibit, Secret Road to Freedom, located at the Hazel Kibler Museum. This tour also includes a look at the life and times of circus clown and entrepreneur Dan Rice and his contributions to the west county.
• A summer history camp experience for students entering grades 4-6 is offered at the museum each July. Call the museum for details (814) 774-3653 or SEND EMAIL.
  
  

Tours are approximately 60-90 minutes and can accommodate up to 25 students.

The Hazel Kibler Museum is located at 522 East Main Street in Girard, Pennsylvania.
For more information call (814) 774-3653, or SEND EMAIL

For your convenience here is a link to MapQuest to locate the museum from your departure point.