What makes the

Watson-Curtze Mansion
an aesthetic experience?

By Jackie Mccarthy
And
Chris Blanchard
 History of the House

• The Watson-Curtze Mansion stands as a

symbol of the upper class lifestyle of the
1800’s in Erie. This was a time when Erie
was nearing the peak of its industrial
development. The businessmen and
industrialists who took advantage of this
era to accumulate their fortunes enjoyed
History of the House Cont.
• Two families occupied the Mansion
before it became a museum. The first
was Harrison F. Watson, his wife Carrie
Tracy Watson, and their daughter
Winifred. The Watson’s moved into the
house in 1891. Harrison Watson was
the president of the H.F. Watson Paper
Company, which manufactured building,
roofing, and lining materials, as well as
steam pipe and boiler packaging
coverings.
• In 1923, the house was sold to Frederick
Felix Curtze. Mr. Curtze was president
of the Erie Trust Company, Heisler
Locomotive Works, Union Iron Works
and the Keystone Fish Company. The
History of the House Cont.

• In 1941, after Mr. Curtze died, his family

offered the mansion to the School
District of the City of Erie to be used as
a museum. The Museum Department of
the Erie Public Library moved into the
mansion when it became the Erie Public
Museum. Today, the house is owned
and operated by the Erie County
Historical Society.
 Main Hall
The main hall of the house
originally contained several
pieces of furniture. It features
the rose carnagione vestibule,
Italian Breccia fireplace with
carved woodwork and Celtic
motif mosaics, hand-painted
friezes, a coffered ceiling, and
an alcove with peacock friezes
and stained glass windows.
 Drawing Room

• The drawing room was used for

formal entertainment and for
receiving visitors. Its most notable
features include the Mexican Onyx
fireplace, a Gesso duro ceiling, and
fabric covered walls.
 Library

• The library was once the home of the

Watson family’s collection of
reference books, a collection known
throughout the city.
 Dining Room

• The Dining Room table, chairs, and

sideboard are part of the original
furnishings of the mansion. Notice the
Yellow African marble fireplace, Mexican
frontier mahogany woodwork, hand-
painted friezes, and stained glass
 Solarium
• Solariums were popular in the
homes of the wealthy from the
1870’s to the 1900’s. The
original solarium roof was made
of leaded glass squares. The
room’s special features include
the marble mosaic floor and
decorative stonework.
 Den
• This small but unique room features
cabinets with shallow drawers that
were once used by Mr. Watson to
house his rock and mineral
collection. Notice the tile fireplace
and the Hazelwood woodwork.
 Southwest Bedroom
• This bedroom once was occupied by
Carrie Watson. It features a walk-
through closet and a beautiful
fireplace.
Winifred’s Bedroom
• When the Watson
family lived in the
mansion, this was
their daughter
Winifred’s bedroom.
Notice the tile
fireplace, curly maple
woodwork, bench
seating areas, and a
round stained glass
windows made of
small florets.
 Master Bedroom
• Containing the Master Bathroom, this
bedroom originally belonged to Mr.
Watson. The Libson marble
fireplace, white curly maple and
Birdseye maple woodwork, and
original ceiling design add to the
room’s charm.
 Southeast Bedroom
• This room was probably used as
a guest room. Restorations were
recently completed.
Ballroom
• The original
billiard room is
adjacent to the
ballroom. The
rose trellis
ceiling design
and the
musicians
balcony are of
special note.
 Architecture & Design
• The architectural style of the house
is known as Richardsonian
Romanesque, named after the
famous architect Henry Hobson
Richardson. The firm of Green and
Wicks from Buffalo, New York
designed the house in 1889. The
style is characterized by the use of
the massive geometric shapes,
straightforward treatment of stone
and broad roof planes. The overall
effect depends on mass volume and
 Architecture & Design
• Heavily applied decorative woodwork
appears throughout the house. Hardwood
oak floors are found in all the rooms. Even
the decorative hinges, door knobs and
drawer pulls indicate the high level of
detail incorporated in the building of the
mansion.
• Since the house was built during the
transition from gas to electric light, most
of the early light fixtures in the mansion
allow for either gas or electric light. A very
unique feature is the elevator, which
operated between the first and third floors.
 Architecture & Design Cont.
• The mansion has 24 rooms, 17
closets, 5 bathrooms and 12
fireplaces. Most of the rooms are
very different in design and style.
Upon close inspection many unusual
building materials and features can
be found. There are mosaics (inlaid
patterens made of bits of stone glass
or other materials), friezes (hand-
painted oil paintings on canvas that