Fort Meigs

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Fort Meigs
Perryburg, Ohio

During the War of 1812 the British in Canada were a threat to invading what was then the western United States. Whoever controlled the rapids at the Maumee River could soon control the rivers of the Ohio and Wabash and thus the Mississippi. As the general in command of the Army of the Northwest, the future president William Henry Harrison selected the location for Fort Meigs as well as other forts.

The fort, named for the Ohio Governor Return J. Meigs, Jr., was made of wood pike walls enclosing 10 acres. The fort housed artillery and approximately 2500 men with 6 men sleeping together in a 7 x 7 foot tent. The British sustained two sieges in 1813 both of which the Americans prevailed thus protecting the river from British control.

When entering the visitor center, there is a short video that explains the history of the area and the purpose of the fort. Inside the museum are weapons and military uniforms from the war. Several artifacts found during archeology digs are also on display. There is extensive discussion of weaponry and military life which is fascinating to military enthusiasts. Visitors learn about military life, how commands were issued via fife and drum, and what equipment each soldier carried.

Never having known exactly how a musket works or what “Ready, Aim, Fire” really meant, I learned various facts about this time period’s military discipline.

After touring the museum, the visitor takes a short walk up to the fort. The structure that is open to visitors is a reconstruction on the site of the original. This realistically includes the abitas, mounds and blockhouses which were designed to slow any breach by the enemy. In the case of Fort Meigs there was no breach, and the fort held.

Inside the blockhouses are depictions of military life and explanations of how the military lived and worked inside the fort. Children will enjoy the interactive displays including demonstration of fife and drum commands and the wheel of fortune explaining the various diseases found in camp.

The high point will be the live exhibit of a Rifleman loading and shooting his musket. This is a must-see and is located towards the center of the fort at the Quartermaster’s building. The interpreter is dressed as a Rifleman of the period, and he gives a detailed explanation of the uniforms and camp life. Being an enlisted man in the army at the time would not be a fun experience! He is very knowledgeable and convinced us that he could be a Rifleman from the early 1800’s. When we went outside to watch the demo of loading and firing the musket, I thought I was prepared for the bang of the gun, but my picture came out all fuzzy because I jumped. Children may want to cover their ears when he pulls the trigger!

The site is very military focused with its details on soldierly life and weaponry.










Upcoming Exhibits and Events –

Fort Meigs has monthly reenactments showing how the soldiers lived and fought during the War of 1812. The following activities are scheduled for the rest of 2008:

• July 26-27, 2008

Drums Along the Maumee -- Fife and drum corps from across the country will perform throughout the day. War of 1812 soldiers and civilians will provide demonstrations of weaponry, and camp life in addition to activities for children. Visitors can also participate in period dancing from early America.

• August 23-24, 2008

Frontier Skills or Things that Go Boom and Bang – Common skills in 1813 would be blacksmithing, coopering and tinsmithing. Watch historic trades people demonstrate their skills, shop for unique items, try your hand at frontier skills, see musket and cannon demonstrations and more.

• September 6, 2008

A Day of Remembrance: 100th Anniversary of the Fort Meigs Monument -- The monument at Fort Meigs was dedicated in September, 1908 to honor the men and women who served at Fort Meigs during the War of 1812.

• October 17-18, 2008
• October 24-25
  

Garrison Ghost Walks -- Tour the fort with your 1812 guide and encounter the spookier side of this historic place.

• November 1, 2008

The World at War Miniature Gaming Day -- Come fight the War of 1812, World War I, and World War II in one room! Miniature war-gaming experts help you play more than 16 different war games and learn about this hobby.

• December 14, 2008

Fort Meigs Holiday Open House -- Join us in the Museum and Visitor Center to celebrate the holidays. War of 1812 soldiers and civilians will be on hand to provide demonstrations and answer questions about the War of 1812 and camp life. Enjoy holiday music, hot cider and cookies and hands-on activities

Age Appropriateness –
Young Children –medium-high
School Age Children –high
Teens –high
Adults –high
Senior Friendly – high

Physical vs. Mental –
The museum and the fort itself provide a myriad of information on Fort Meigs and information on the military in 1813. Expect quite a bit of walking around the 10 acre fort, but the gravel paths are level and require no climbing.

Time to Allow for Visit –
Museum 45 min
Fort 1 ½ hours

Additional Information –
Gift Shop – yes
Food – no
Picnic – Picnic tables are scattered outside the visitor center. Grills are available as well. There is no covered shelter.
Multilingual – no

Approximate Travel Times –
Cincinnati – 3 ¼ hours
Cleveland – 2 hours
Columbus – 2 ½ hours




Handicapped Accessibility –
The visitor center and museum are wheelchair accessible. The Fort has a graveled walking path that is wheelchair accessible. One blockhouse has a view from the 2nd floor, accessible only by stairway.

Volunteer Opportunities –
Old Northwest Military History Association provides volunteers for the reenactments. They offer opportunities for more than the military units as in working the gift shop and providing background support at the Fort. For more information their web site is http://www.fortmeigs.org/volunteerinfo.htm.


Helpful links:
http://ohsweb.ohiohistory.org/places/nw06/
http://www.fortmeigs.org/
http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/entry.php?rec=712
http://www.warof1812.net/
http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/wh9.html
http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/entry.php?rec=190
http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/entry.php?rec=271
http://www.perrysburg.com/

Grant Boyhood Home

Grant Boyhood Home
Georgetown, Ohio

At one year old, Ulysses Grant moved with his family to Georgetown, Ohio, his home until he left for the West Point Military Academy at age 17. This home is the longest he lived in one place his entire life.

The house was built in three stages. His father, Jesse Grant, built the first two-story structure consisting of one room up and one room down. The second addition was a kitchen along the back. The final building project in 1828 was a parlor downstairs and additional bedrooms upstairs. The three bedrooms allowed one for the parents, one for the girls and one for the boys. The room believed to have been used by Ulysses is the only room in the house without a fireplace. It was probably quite chilly in the winter!

Jesse Grant earned his living as a tanner turning animal hides into leather products. With the 21st century world of plastics and artificial fibers, the use of leather products is seen as a luxury. In the 19th century, leather of all animals was used to make boots, saddles, bridles, buckets, furnishings, clothing and many other items. Some children (and adults!) will be fascinated by the descriptions of how dirty animal hides are scraped and treated and made into leather. The picture to the right shows the tannery in front with the house behind.

Ulysses did not enjoy anything with the tannery. His father said he could skip working at the tannery provided he found another job. Lucky for him, Ulysses had a love of horses. Today we hear of people called Horse Whisperers, and it seems this was one of his talents since he could handle horses at a young age. As a boy he started his own business carting people and goods to other towns. In his biography Grant talks about driving as far as Louisville, KY and Chillicothe, OH as a boy.

Although everyone in Georgetown knew him as Ulysses, his name at birth was Hiram Ulysses Grant. When the congressman from Georgetown submitted his name for entrance to West Point, he used Ulysses as the first name and assumed the middle name would be his mother’s maiden name. When Grant arrived at West Point, they were not expecting a “Hiram” so they informed Ulysses that his legal name was now
Ulysses Simpson Grant. Otherwise there would be too much red tape to change it. During his political years Grant exploited his initials because he was U.S. Grant.

At the end of the tour there is a room where the visitors get a chance to sit and listen to the boy Ulysses tell his story. Children of all ages will love not only the animated Ulysses but also the stories that are told.

Take a look at the museum in the back containing Civil War memorabilia and a discussion of Grant’s service in the Civil War.

Every spring close to Grant’s birthday Georgetown, Ohio has a festival honoring its native son. This event centers around the Boyhood Home and Schoolhouse with interpretations of Grant’s life. In addition to the Grant history the entire town participates by having a reenactment of the trouble caused in Ohio by the Confederate units called Morgan’s Raiders. Led by General John Hunt Morgan, these confederate cavalry troops terrorized the southern Ohio towns the summer of 1863 until they were captured at Buffington Island in southeast Ohio.

A visit to the home should include a stop at the Grant Schoolhouse, which is covered by the same admission. Less than ½ an hour away in Point Pleasant, Ohio is another President Grant site – his birthplace. All three can be seen in the same day and provides a background of his life as boy.



Upcoming Exhibits and Events –

• Georgetown, Ohio hosts a yearly U.S. Grant Celebration at the end of April. For more information call 937-378-4222

Age Appropriateness –
Young Children – medium
School Age Children – high
Teens – high
Adults – high
Senior Friendly – medium-high

Physical vs. Mental –
This is a museum so other than climbing stairs to the second floor, there is little physical activity.
Time to Allow for Visit –
The tour and animation show will take about an hour.

Additional Information –
Gift Shop – Yes
Food – No
Picnic – No
Multilingual – No

Approximate Travel Times –
Cincinnati – 1 hour
Cleveland – 4 ½ hours
Columbus – 2 hour

Handicapped Accessibility –
This is a two-story home so access to the upstairs is not available for those in wheelchairs. There are steps at the entrance so call ahead for information on handicapped accessibility.


Helpful links:

http://ohsweb.ohiohistory.org/places/sw09/
http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/entry.php?rec=1933
http://www.villagegeorgetown.com/
http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/entry.php?rec=155&nm=Ulysses-S-Grant

Grant Schoolhouse

Grant Schoolhouse
Georgetown, Ohio

Originally a one-room schoolhouse, this building is where Ulysses Grant first attended school. Jesse Grant, Ulysses’ father, did not have the opportunity for much of an education so he wanted to insure that all his children had this chance. Ulysses was sent to the school of John D. White where he excelled in mathematics.

In addition to Grant being a student at Mr. White’s school, other future Civil War leaders attended as well:

• August Kautz – Major General
• Daniel Ammen – Rear Admiral
• Jacob Ammen – Brigadier General
• Chilton White – Democrat representative to Congress during the Civil War.

Biographies of these students are given at the desks in the room. This shows that President Grant was not the only student to find success after the schoolroom! Isn’t it amazing that such a small town of less than a thousand people could produce such important men in one generation? Was it due to Mr. White’s excellent tutelage?

In the schoolroom one can see how it may have been arranged with wooden benches and desks. How does this compare to the schoolrooms of today? Where are the computers? Children can see how different school is today to what they experience in their own education.

The price of admission is for both the schoolhouse and the boyhood home. Located a few blocks away, the house is a short drive from the school.



Upcoming Exhibits and Events –

• Georgetown, Ohio hosts a yearly U.S. Grant Celebration at the end of April. For more information call 937-378-4222

Age Appropriateness –
Young Children – medium
School Age Children – high
Teens – high
Adults – high
Senior Friendly – high


Physical vs. Mental –
This is a museum requiring no physical activity.


Time to Allow for Visit –
Allow a ½ hour to tour the museum.



Additional Information –
Gift Shop – Yes
Food – No
Picnic – No
Multilingual – No

Approximate Travel Times –
Cincinnati – 1 hour
Cleveland – 4 ½ hours
Columbus – 2 hours

Handicapped Accessibility –
This is a one story building so there are few steps to maneuver.


Helpful links:
http://ohsweb.ohiohistory.org/places/sw10/
http://www.bartleby.com/1011/1.html
http://www.villagegeorgetown.com/

Grant Birthplace

Grant Birthplace
Point Pleasant, Ohio

The future 18th president of the United States was born on April 27, 1822 in this house located in Point Pleasant, Ohio. When Hannah Simpson and Jesse Grant were married the year before, they began housekeeping in what was then a one-room house. They called the oldest of their six children Ulysses. The following year the family moved to the Georgetown, Ohio community where Grant’s boyhood home is now a museum.

The birthplace is furnished with period pieces including some that actually belonged to the Grant family including the corner cabinet and a small trunk belonging to Grant’s father. Imagine an entire family living in one room. That single room is used as the kitchen, the living room, the dining room, the bedroom and the bathroom. This was a typical home for a family at that time. Children will enjoy imagining what it is like using the cooking tools in the fireplace and sleeping in a bed without springs. The interpreter Loretta was quite knowledgeable and enthusiastically discussed how the varied utensils, furniture and gadgets were used in the 19th century.

After the Grants moved, another owner added two rooms to the back. Now a three-room house, the front room is arranged as it would have been when Grant was born. The additional two rooms have a small museum and gift shop.

When visiting the birthplace, a trip to nearby Georgetown, Ohio should also be taken to see Grant’s boyhood home. There is roughly a thirty-minute drive between the sites.


Upcoming Exhibits and Events –
None at this time

Age Appropriateness –
Young Children –medium
School Age Children –medium-high
Teens – medium-high
Adults – high
Senior Friendly – high

Physical vs. Mental –
This is a museum requiring no physical activity.

Time to Allow for Visit –
Thirty minutes will allow the interpreter to share the information about the house and to visit the small musem.

Additional Information –
Gift Shop – A few items are for sale in the museum.
Food – no
Picnic – no
Multilingual – no

Approximate Travel Times –
Cincinnati – ¾ hour
Cleveland – 4 ½ hours
Columbus – 2 ¼ hours

Handicapped Accessibility –
It is a one story home so there are few steps to maneuver.

Helpful links:
http://ohsweb.ohiohistory.org/places/sw08/
http://ohsweb.ohiohistory.org/ohiopix/Image.cfm?ID=9072
http://www.enquirer.com/editions/1998/10/16/loc_grant16.html
http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/entry.php?rec=155&nm=Ulysses-S-Grant
http://www.freewebs.com/clermonthistory/historicplaces.htm
http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/ug18.html

Davis Memorial

Davis Memorial

Peebles, Ohio

In the midst of a beautiful nature preserve are well-maintained hiking trails. Rarely are any sounds of civilization heard so it feels as if one has stepped back in time to early Ohio. This site is a joint venture between the Ohio Historical Society and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

In a short distance are many varieties of trees, plants and geological phenomenon. Not being a botanist or geologist, I’m sure I did not value the flora and geological varieties, but I could appreciate the natural beauty of the place. The most interesting I found were the White Cedars which grow right out of the limestone cliffs.

During the hike we saw quite a few butterflies. Seeing them was easy, but taking a picture of them was the challenge!

The hike is less than an endurance trail but more than a casual stroll so good walking shoes should be worn. The Buckeye Trail runs through the preserve and there are two ½ mile loops, the Agave and the Sullivanti. We parked by the Agave where we walked half the loop to the Buckeye Trail which took us to the other loop. In an hour we had walked approximately 2 ½ miles with frequent stops to admire the scenery. Part of the trail goes along the Cedar Fork Creek.

This trip is probably best planned for spring when the wild flowers are in bloom or in fall when the leaves are turning. My friend and I went for the hike on a humid summer day making the tour more tiring. Being the seasoned hikers we were though, we did bring our own bottles of water. There are no facilities at the site so come prepared with what you need.

The site is off the civilized path including a gravel road so use the following directions from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources:

• From the junction of State Rte 32 and State Rte 41 south of Peebles, follow State Rte 32 approximately 1 mile east to Steam Furnace Rd.
  
• Proceed south on Steam Furnace Rd 1/2 mile to Davis Memorial Rd.
  
• Go left (east) on Davis Memorial Rd for 2-1/2 miles until reaching the parking lot on the right.

A visit to the Davis Memorial can be combined with a trip to see the Serpent Mound, only a few miles to the north. Visit the Adams County tourism web-site for more ideas to enhance your stay in the area.




Upcoming Exhibits and Events –
N/A






Age Appropriateness –
Young Children – low
School Age Children –medium
Teens –high
Adults –high
Senior Friendly – low

Physical vs. Mental –
This site is for physical hiking. There are helpful signs explaining the nature and geological points of interest.


Time to Allow for Visit –
Allow an hour for a nice paced hike.


Additional Information –
Gift Shop – no
Food – no
Picnic – no
Multilingual – no

Approximate Travel Times –
Cincinnati – 1 ½ hours
Cleveland – 4 hours
Columbus – 2 hours

Handicapped Accessibility –
This site is not handicapped accessible.

Volunteer Opportunities –
N/A


Helpful links:
http://ohsweb.ohiohistory.org/places/sw02/
http://www.adamscountytravel.org/
http://www.ohiodnr.com/location/davis/tabid/934/Default.aspx
http://www.columbusdispatch.com/live/contentbe/EPIC_shim.php?story=dispatch/travel/stories/adams_county_wildflowers.html&adsec=travel

Serpent Mound

Serpent Mound
Peebles, Ohio

The Serpent Mound is an interesting site built by a people without modern engineering yet able to create something recognizable from an aerial view. At ¼ mile in length it is not only the largest serpent effigy known today but also the largest prehistoric effigy earthwork in the world. The mound, built in the shape of an uncoiling snake, is aligned with the solstices thus leading to the belief it was built to honor a serpent spirit. The head opens to an alignment with the sunset on the summer solstice.

There is some debate on which Native American culture created this site. Most believed the Adena culture was responsible until recent carbon dating showed it was built about 1070 AD. This date indicates the Fort Ancient culture were the builders. Another theory states that the Adena built the mound, but the Fort Ancient people added their mark thus affecting the dating of the site. This is a mystery that archaeologists will continue to research and debate.


In addition to the Serpent Mound are some burial mounds in the park. The different native peoples used various burial practices, and the mounds were added on by additional burials on top of burials. Archeologists are able to determine this by different body positions used in the burial and by artifacts found with the bodies.

The museum itself is small, but contains artifacts and excellent demonstrations of how the burial mounds evolved between the different cultures. The various cultures' burial practices are distinguished as they used the same mounds but different customs for their “newer” burials. There are enough pictures and artifacts that young children will not bore as easily if there were much reading required.

A paved path winds around the mound itself. This is completely passable for the handicapped and for parents with strollers. There is a wooden observation tower, first built 100 years ago. By climbing the stairs the visitor can look down and see the serpent shape built into the landscape. How did the builders of this mound engineer a site that looks like a serpent when looking from an aerial view? There are no interpretive signs in the park so be mindful in the museum for information that explains what will be seen.

There is also a hiking trail that goes into the woods around the mound. There are no trail maps or signs, but it is ¼ mile dirt path that includes some inclines. It is not appropriate for wheelchairs or strollers.


You can combine your visit to the Serpent Mound with a visit to the Davis Memorial and other places in the area. Adams County has several opportunities to indulge your interest in hiking, the Amish and history. When planning your trip, check out their web-site listed in the section below.

The Serpent Mound is not just for those with an interest in archeology or Native American cultures. It is a beautifully maintained park where a family can spend time figuring out their own answers to the purpose of the uncoiling snake. Families of all ages can bring their picnic lunch, enjoy the outdoors and learn a bit of their Ohio history!


Upcoming Exhibits and Events –

• September 6, 2008 -- Archaeology 101 – A simulated dig will be used for hands-on exploration of the use of archaeological techniques.
• October 4, 2008-- Native American Technology: Food Preservation & Harvest – the Native American garden will be harvested and the crop is prepared for winter. Cooking demonstrations of Native American recipes will be showcased.
• December 21, 2008 -- Light Up the Serpent for the Winter Solstice

Age Appropriateness –
Young Children –medium
School Age Children –medium-high
Teens –high
Adults –high
Senior Friendly – medium-high

Physical vs. Mental –
This site has a good mix. The museum provides background for the site and the path around the mound is a good walk.

Time to Allow for Visit –
Plan an hour to see the museum and to walk the paved path around the Serpent Mound itself. Allow additional time for the hiking trail.

Additional Information –
Gift Shop – yes
Food – no
Picnic – yes – covered picnic area; grills are available
Multilingual – no

Approximate Travel Times –
Cincinnati – 1 ½ hours
Cleveland – 4 hours
Columbus – 2 hours

Handicapped Accessibility –
The museum and the path around the Serpent Mound are wheelchair accessible. The ¼ mile nature trial includes inclines on exposed dirt paths. The observation deck requires climbing of stairs.

Volunteer Opportunities –
A group named Friends of Serpent Mound provides volunteer opportunities. Contact the site coordinator at 937-587-2796 or 1-800-752-2757 (toll free) for more information.



Helpful links:
http://ohsweb.ohiohistory.org/places/sw16/
http://www.adamscountytravel.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serpent_Mound
http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/archaeology/sites/northamerica/serpent.html