The U.S. Brig Niagara in Erie will get “multi-million-dollar” maintenance and upgrades with plans to sail “Pennsylvania’s northwest coast in 2026 when the United States and the Commonwealth celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary.”

The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission said today its contract with the Flagship Niagara League will expire on Dec. 31 but “both organizations are pleased to reaffirm their commitment to continued collaboration for the advancement of Erie and the region’s maritime history.”

The commission said it will make a “substantial investment” in the Erie Maritime Museum Complex and the U.S. Brig Niagara.

“Both the museum and the ship will receive significant upgrades, with the development of new exhibits at the museum and repairs and improvements to the ship over the next few years. The elevation of the museum as a top-tier maritime history destination will draw a wider audience, educating more people about this important history and serving as a driver for Erie’s tourism economy.”

The commission said that while Niagara will spend most of her time day-sailing from her home port, there are plans “to sail to other Great Lakes destinations several times a year and to continue to participate in Tall Ships.”

The commission said it will “resume direct management of the U.S. Brig Niagara, hiring the ship’s professional crew, a staffing model successfully employed from 1992 to 2009. This model will include hiring a full-time captain, chief mate, shipwright, as well as seasonal crew members.”

The commission will allocate an additional $400,00 to support the Niagara’s operations. That is in addition to an existing $350,000 for maintenance and operations.

In the coming year, the commission said it will “embark on a multi-million-dollar Commonwealth Capital Project to tackle Niagara’s deferred maintenance and to make major systems upgrades. The significant investment of resources over the next two years will culminate in the ship sailing Pennsylvania’s northwest coast in 2026 when the United States and the Commonwealth celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary.”

The U.S. Brig Niagara, according to Flagship Niagara League, “is a faithful reconstruction of Oliver Hazard Perry’s relief flagship during the Battle of Lake Erie.”

This past summer, the U.S. Brig Niagara suspended its sailing schedule “due to mechanical issues outside the control of both organizations …”