2008 Woodie Awards
Fort Meigs offers interactive history lesson for students
By: Anthony Phillips
Issue date: 4/17/08 Section: Local
Just a few minutes away in Perrysburg there is a place with a rich history and lots to do for bored college students.
Fort Meigs, the largest reconstructed wooden fort in Ohio, stood as an important stronghold against the British during the War of 1812.
The U.S. forces originally constructed the fort in 1813 as a supply depot and staging ground for an invasion into Canada, said Dan Woodward, educational specialist at Fort Meigs.
However, the fort soon became essential to the protection of the Maumee River.
In May and July, the British, in order to obtain the fort and control of the Maumee River, surrounded the fort.
The American forces defended the fort well, and were able to stop the British both times from invading Ohio.
Soon after the American victories, Gen. William Henry Harrison ordered his men to dismantle the fort, and all but 100 were sent into Canada.
In 1840, Harrison returned to Fort Meigs for an important presidential campaign rally.
"There were 30,000 people here," Woodward said.
This makes it one of the largest political rallies of the 19th century.
Woodward also said Harrison held a re-enactment during the rally to showcase his victories there.
Over a century later, the Ohio Historical Society purchased the site to rebuild the fort, and in 1974 it opened to the public.
Today the fort stands a museum that was constructed in 2003 during a massive restoration of the fort.
Inside the museum visitors will find several artifacts including a well-crafted powder horn, several cannon balls and uniforms.
Other than the museum, the fort attracts visitors by its various events, which differ in theme and activities.
In fact, April 5 was their first event of the season, and volunteer Annette Bristol said, "We worked our butts off!"
She and several volunteers taught visitors about a soldier's life from cooking to candle making.
Most of the volunteers take their positions very seriously and try to stay in character. This includes Rifleman Tony Szymanski, who in mid speech, pointed toward two approaching infantry men and called them "infantry scum."
He soon explained to his tour group that the infantry were the lowest ranking soldier, and that he was, as a rifleman, like the special forces of the War of 1812.
Many upcoming events depict what went on at Fort Meigs during the war such as the First Siege event on May 24-25.
The First Siege includes a re-enactment of the British's first attempt to take over the fort as well as other demonstrations throughout the day.
The fort also hosts several other events that include Vikings and Roman Legionnaires and events about the 1812 culture and frontier life.
General admission into the fort and the museum is $7 for adults, $3 for students and children five years old and under get in free.
The special events do cost extra for visitors depending on the event and the amount of days attending.
For more information and directions, visit the Fort Meigs Web site at www.fortmeigs.org.
Fort Meigs, the largest reconstructed wooden fort in Ohio, stood as an important stronghold against the British during the War of 1812.
The U.S. forces originally constructed the fort in 1813 as a supply depot and staging ground for an invasion into Canada, said Dan Woodward, educational specialist at Fort Meigs.
However, the fort soon became essential to the protection of the Maumee River.
In May and July, the British, in order to obtain the fort and control of the Maumee River, surrounded the fort.
The American forces defended the fort well, and were able to stop the British both times from invading Ohio.
Soon after the American victories, Gen. William Henry Harrison ordered his men to dismantle the fort, and all but 100 were sent into Canada.
In 1840, Harrison returned to Fort Meigs for an important presidential campaign rally.
"There were 30,000 people here," Woodward said.
This makes it one of the largest political rallies of the 19th century.
Woodward also said Harrison held a re-enactment during the rally to showcase his victories there.
Over a century later, the Ohio Historical Society purchased the site to rebuild the fort, and in 1974 it opened to the public.
Today the fort stands a museum that was constructed in 2003 during a massive restoration of the fort.
Inside the museum visitors will find several artifacts including a well-crafted powder horn, several cannon balls and uniforms.
Other than the museum, the fort attracts visitors by its various events, which differ in theme and activities.
In fact, April 5 was their first event of the season, and volunteer Annette Bristol said, "We worked our butts off!"
She and several volunteers taught visitors about a soldier's life from cooking to candle making.
Most of the volunteers take their positions very seriously and try to stay in character. This includes Rifleman Tony Szymanski, who in mid speech, pointed toward two approaching infantry men and called them "infantry scum."
He soon explained to his tour group that the infantry were the lowest ranking soldier, and that he was, as a rifleman, like the special forces of the War of 1812.
Many upcoming events depict what went on at Fort Meigs during the war such as the First Siege event on May 24-25.
The First Siege includes a re-enactment of the British's first attempt to take over the fort as well as other demonstrations throughout the day.
The fort also hosts several other events that include Vikings and Roman Legionnaires and events about the 1812 culture and frontier life.
General admission into the fort and the museum is $7 for adults, $3 for students and children five years old and under get in free.
The special events do cost extra for visitors depending on the event and the amount of days attending.
For more information and directions, visit the Fort Meigs Web site at www.fortmeigs.org.
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