The Wilder Museum of Warren County History and the National Forge have a long history together. To honor this relationship and to recognize the history of the National Forge, the Wilder Museum, 51 Erie Avenue, Irvine, will host an open house highlighting the spacious National Forge Exhibit Room from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 27.

The National Forge Company was founded by Clinton E. Wilder in 1915 as the National Forge and Tool Company in Erie. The following year, the company purchased the Irvine Steel Forge Company as an additional facility and then moved the entire operation to Irvine in 1917. The company became a major producer of large, precision machined steel forgings with countless employees contributing to the company’s success throughout history.

As part of the 75th-anniversary celebration in 1990, 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 relative 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 donated by Clinton E. Wilder.

In 1996, the historical society was given the museum (now known as the Wilder Museum of Warren County History) which is home to over 3,000 artifacts in 15 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 more!

This event is free and open to the public. Donations are welcome. Refreshments will be provided by Kinzua Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center and AseraCare Hospice.

For more information, call (814)723-1795, visit www.warrenhistory.org, or find the Wilder Museum on Facebook.