The decision had been made to add a planetarium to the complex of the Watson-Curtze Mansion. This was done during its transformation into a natural history museum back in the nineteen hundred and forty's.museum and Erie City School District leaders had visited Cleveland in order to learn a bit more about the operation, as well as the management of a planetarium. This was in preparation for the addition.
Due to the visit, the very same company that built the planetarium, was chosen for the construction of one such facility in Erie.
Link: Erie County Historical Society » Planetarium History