Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial in Put-in-Bay, Ohio is a Worthwhile Family Stop

A unit of the National Park Service, Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial in Put-in-Bay, Ohio commemorates the Battle of Lake Erie fought during the War of 1812. The memorial was established by order of President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1936. In 1966, it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The site was re-designated as a National Memorial in 1972 and was also re-named at that time. It is the only peace memorial located within the United States National Park system.

The memorial sits in the village of Put-in-Bay, not far from South Bass Island, part of the Lake Erie Islands. It was near this spot that, on Sept. 10, 1813, Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry enjoyed the greatest naval victory of the War of 1812. The battle he won here secured control of Lake Erie for the U.S. and allowed General William Henry Harrison to stage a successful invasion of Western Upper Canada. It is believed that Perry's victory gave the United States more bargaining power at the peace talks that would end the war a year and a half later.

The actual memorial was constructed between 1912 and 1915 and erected shortly thereafter, but it did not become a unit of the National Park System until more than two decades later. The goal of the memorial, aside from commemorating the naval victory, was "to inculcate the lessons of international peace by arbitration and disarmament.''

The Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial is a Doric column that stands 352 feet tall and, by all accounts, is the most dominant feature in the Lake Erie Islands. The remains of three American and three British soldiers who were killed during the battle are interred beneath the rotunda floor. The names of all Americans who died or were wounded in the Battle of Lake Erie are carved in the rotunda walls as are the names of Perry's vessels.

An observation deck that sits more than 317 feet in the air provides excellent views of not only the lake but also the shorelines of Ohio, Michigan, and Ontario, Canada. Access to the observation level is by elevator and an additional 37 stairs. Those who can't climb can see the view via a real-time monitor located at the elevator level.

For guests who visit on weekends, there is an opportunity to view living history demonstrations by costumed park rangers including talks about the War of 1812, uniform demonstrations, and weapons demonstrations focusing on the artillery of that time period. Cannons are fired on certain pre-scheduled weekends.

From Thanksgiving to the end of March, Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial is open only by prior appointment. During the remainder of the year, hours vary, with extended hours offered between Memorial Day and Labor Day. * Note - Because of some structural problems that have surfaced, including falling granite, this monument will close in August 2009 and is scheduled to remain closed for about 2 years until repairs are complete.