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/