The Society has a membership with regular monthly meetings, and sponsors bus and train excursions each summer, as well as special occasion dinners in the dining car. Another historical society formed recently to preserve the North East history. It is headquartered in the old town hall, built in 1880, then adapted for use as the fire hall from 1885 to 1996. The building has been adapted again and today houses the very active Arts Council as well as the North East Historical society with its changing displays. Hours are Wednesdays from Noon to 2 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to Noon.
Admission is free.
Heading north on Lake Street, the visitor might note that the office for the North East Breeze is on the west side of South Lake Street, as is the Chamber of Commerce. Stop in there for information on upcoming events. Continuing north a block past Gibson Park is Division Street where a visitor will want to walk along and enjoy the majestic buildings that comprised St. Mary's Seminary, a prep school for potential young priests. Today these buildings are part of the Mercyhurst College system and offer year-round classes to about six hundred students. A good time to visit is during the early fall when the grapes are ready for harvest.