A white farmhouse with an American flag on the porch stands in a grassy yard with bare trees and distant mountains in the background.

Wise Homestead Donation

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Erie Historical Society

The Erie Historical Society preserves and shares Erie’s pioneer history through the restoration of the Wise Homestead and its artifacts, ensuring future generations can connect with the community's rich heritage.

TEST Erie Historical Society&#39;s Silent Auction invites you to bid on unique items that celebrate Erie&rsquo;s past, from pioneer-era keepsakes to experiences that connect you with local history 🕰️. Your participation helps preserve landmarks like the Wise Homestead Blacksmith Shop and supports tours and programs that share Erie&rsquo;s stories with students and neighbors. Every winning bid keeps our town&rsquo;s history visible, cared for, and remembered.

TEST Erie Historical Society's Silent Auction

Your gift keeps Erie&rsquo;s pioneer story standing. Donations to the Wise Homestead help the Erie Historical Society preserve the farmhouse, blacksmith shop, and artifacts that tell how this community took root. Every contribution supports concrete work on site: stabilizing aging structures, repairing original materials, and opening the doors for school visits and public tours. Give today to help protect this piece of Erie&rsquo;s history for future neighbors and families.

Your gift keeps Erie’s pioneer story standing. Donations to the Wise Homestead help the Erie Historical Society preserve the farmhouse, blacksmith shop, and artifacts that tell how this community took root.Every contribution supports concrete work on site: stabilizing aging structures, repairing original materials, and opening the doors for school visits and public tours. Give today to help protect this piece of Erie’s history for future neighbors and families.

Join our community of supporters and become a member today. Your membership not only grants you access to exclusive benefits but also directly supports our mission.&nbsp; Thank you for choosing to be part of our cause. Together, we can make a positive impact on our community.&nbsp; Ready to make a difference? Start your journey by becoming a member now!

Join our community of supporters and become a member today. Your membership not only grants you access to exclusive benefits but also directly supports our mission. Thank you for choosing to be part of our cause. Together, we can make a positive impact on our community. Ready to make a difference? Start your journey by becoming a member now!

Erie Historical Society's Memberships

<h2 fr-original-style="" id="isPasted" style="width: 100%; box-sizing: inherit;">Forge the Future: Restore Erie&#39;s Pioneer Heart</h2>The Wise Homestead Blacksmith Shop, built by Oliver Ellsworth Wise in the 1870s, is an authentic and irreplaceable window into Erie&rsquo;s pioneer era .<h3 fr-original-style="" style="width: 100%; box-sizing: inherit;">Why This Landmark Is Special</h3>More than just a building, this shop was the indispensable hub that forged the essentials of frontier life. It was here that tools were crafted, wagons were repaired, and horses were shod, symbolizing the resilience and industrious spirit that built our community. It is a rare, tangible link to a time when skilled hands shaped iron into civilization on the Colorado frontier.<h3 fr-original-style="" style="width: 100%; box-sizing: inherit;">Why We Need Your Help</h3>Thanks to initial support, this 150-year-old structure has been stabilized. Now, we are embarking on the critical next phase of restoration to ensure its survival. Your donation is vital to:<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Repair the Exterior and restore historic barn doors to their original craftsmanship.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Protect the Building&rsquo;s Envelope to secure it for generations.</li></ul>Your contribution is not just a donation; it&#39;s an investment in keeping history alive. Help us complete this work and bring the Blacksmith Shop back to life, allowing future visitors to experience the sights and stories of our past. Keep this legacy alive&mdash;donate today!

Forge the Future: Restore Erie's Pioneer HeartThe Wise Homestead Blacksmith Shop, built by Oliver Ellsworth Wise in the 1870s, is an authentic and irreplaceable window into Erie’s pioneer era .Why This Landmark Is SpecialMore than just a building, this shop was the indispensable hub that forged the essentials of frontier life. It was here that tools were crafted, wagons were repaired, and horses were shod, symbolizing the resilience and industrious spirit that built our community. It is a rare, tangible link to a time when skilled hands shaped iron into civilization on the Colorado frontier.Why We Need Your HelpThanks to initial support, this 150-year-old structure has been stabilized. Now, we are embarking on the critical next phase of restoration to ensure its survival. Your donation is vital to:Repair the Exterior and restore historic barn doors to their original craftsmanship.Protect the Building’s Envelope to secure it for generations.Your contribution is not just a donation; it's an investment in keeping history alive. Help us complete this work and bring the Blacksmith Shop back to life, allowing future visitors to experience the sights and stories of our past.Keep this legacy alive—donate today!

Blacksmith Shop Preservation

Biscuit Day 2026 Silent Auction supports the Erie Historical Society&rsquo;s work to celebrate, educate, and preserve our community&rsquo;s story.&nbsp; Visit us Erie Historical Society Booth this Saturday, September 19 for Biscuit Day in the Bridge Refill parking lot at 285 Cheesman St. Check out auction items in person, view historical photos and more! Your bids help care for artifacts, share historic photographs and printed materials, and keep programs like Blacksmith Shop renovation and the Wise Homestead Museum open to visitors. Each item you win strengthens our ability to tell Erie&rsquo;s early 20th‑century and American West heritage with care and accuracy.&nbsp;

Erie Historical Society

Erie Historical Society

Events

Events

Biscuit Day 2026 Silent Auction

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More ways to support us

Wise Homestead Donation

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Erie Historical Society's Memberships

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Blacksmith Shop Preservation

$4,675 of $10,000 goal

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