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Museum and Education Center
The
Museum and Education Center has 3,000 square feet of
exhibits and artifacts - including soldiers' letters
and diaries, weapons, maps, and uniforms - that
describe Fort Meigs role during the War of 1812.
Exhibits themes include The Lore of the Land, The
Sixty Year War for Ohio, and Building Fort Meigs.
Original artifacts from the War of 1812, including
swords, uniforms, and maps highlight the events of
the war and the impact it had on soldiers and thier
families. Exhibits will emphasize hands-on and
interpretive learning opportunities for students and
families, as well as workshop and curriculum
resources for teachers. The building also includes a
gift shop, classroom and conference room.
Memorial
Today, Fort
Meigs is an Ohio State Memorial in
Perrysburg, Ohio. The 65 acre (263,000 mē)
park includes an entire rebuilt replica of
the 1813 fort. Located on the corner of a
nearby cemetery even today there still
remains the original artillery positions
laid by the British for use during the
siege.
The Visitor Center's museum exhibits include
frontier Ohio and early Native Americans,
the history of the War of 1812 and the
fort's role in the war, artifacts found at
Fort Meigs, and military life. Outside,
visitors can tour the reconstructed
blockhouses and stockade.
There are several re-enactments held there
yearly such as the re-enactment of the
British siege during the war of 1812, an
event involving the French and Indian Wars,
and their Muster on the Maumee weekend
(usually held on Father's Day weekend) where
a military timeline event is held (soldiers
ranging from the roman empire straight
through to the Vietnam War). The site is
very picturesque, and is even more so on the
4th of July, when visitors may enjoy a
fireworks display amongst the refurbished
fort and new museum building.
History
The fort construction was started in
February of 1813 by soldiers under General
William Henry Harrison in present-day
Perrysburg, Ohio. The work began in harsh
climate, the fort being built around land
thick with swamp and there was even one
documented case of a U.S sentry who froze to
death during his guard duty period of two
hours. The fort was the largest wooden
walled fortification in North America up to
that point, named in honor of Ohio governor
Return J. Meigs, Jr. for his support in
providing Harrison with militia and supplies
for the line of forts along the Old
Northwest frontier.
On May 1, 1813, the British under General
Henry Proctor and Chief Tecumseh laid siege
to the fort. It was during that time that
Colonel Dudley had lead a party outside of
the fort and they were eliminated by the
British Native Allies. Similar circumstances
befell on many a wood gathering party from
the American army. Harrison was able to hold
out against the British through the use of
long and broad hills made inside the fort
known as Traverses which not only absorbed
many of the incoming British shells but also
provided a sleeping quarters for American
personnel. Once damp weather befell these
dwellings, several soldiers no longer wished
to live in the soggy quarters and resigned
themselves to sleeping in canvas Army tents.
Proctor raised the siege on May 9, 1813.
Harrison, having mobilized the garrison into
an army, left General Green Clay in command
of the fort. Clay held the fort against a
second attempted siege by the British that
same year in July. Once the British had
retreated from the area for good, General
Harrison ordered the fort dismantled.
Fort Meigs is the largest wooden walled
fortification in North America.
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