Fort Meigs 2012 Special Events Schedule

Special Events at Fort Meigs are sponsored by the Old Northwest Military History Association, Smoke & Fire Co., and the Campaign for Fort Meigs.

Hearthside Cooking Class

April 14, 2012

Experience life in an 1812 kitchen! Learn how to cook on a hearth with period kitchen tools. Participants will help prepare period recipes to go along with a lunch. Wrap up your experience by dining on the foods you just prepared! Pre-registration required. Limited to the first 12 people registered. Cost is $30 per person. $25 for OHS members. Call (800) 283-8916 to register.

Blacksmithing 101

April 14, 2012

New this year, in conjunction with the Hearthside Cooking Class, is a beginners-only blacksmithing workshop. Discover what it takes to shape iron using hammer and anvil on a period travelling forge!

Learn the basics of heating, shaping, and bending metal and take home a creation of your own! Pre-registration required. Limited to the first 6 people registered. Cost is $45 per person. $40 for OHS members. Call (800) 283-8916 to register.

Yesteryear's Essentials: Material Culture for War of 1812 Reenacting Conference

April 21 - 22, 2012

Learn about fashions of the early 19th Century and more! Knowledgeable presenters will discuss many facets of men and women's clothing of the time period. Highlights include admission to Fort Meigs, period merchants, and optional Sunday workshops. Call (800) 283-2916 to register.

Drums at the Rapids: Miniature War Gaming Conference

May 18 - 19, 2012

Fight epic battles on a small scale Friday and Saturday in the Visitor Center during our miniature war gaming event. Many time periods will be represented from Roman wars to WWII. Warfare on the land, sea, and air will be re-created on tabletop battlefields. Admission to participate is $12 per day of $18 for both days which includes admission to the site. Regular site admission applies for those who wish to watch but not participate. Co-sponsored by the Historical Miniatures Gaming Society, Great Lakes Chapter.

First Siege 1813

May 26 - 27, 2012

Commemorating the 199th Anniversary of the First Siege of Fort Meigs!

The British are coming! United States and British soldiers as well as Woodland Indians recreate historic 1813 battles at Fort Meigs. See recreated battles, musket and artillery demonstrations, and camp life demonstrations. Returning this year is "1813 Patrol." Accompany a squad of American soldiers as they scout around the fort.

Memorial Day Commemoration

May 28, 2012

Join the staff and volunteers of Fort Meigs in honoring our nation's fallen heroes. War of 1812 soldiers and civilians reenact camp life throughout the day. A special wreath laying ceremony takes place at 2 p.m. at the Fort Meigs Monument. The ceremony ends with a wreath laying and musket salute at the Pennsylvania Monument.

Muster on the Maumee

June 16 - 17, 2012

See the evolution of the common soldier from the Roman Legionnaire through the 20th Century. Soldiers, artisans, and civilians give demonstrations throughout the weekend. Period military camps are open for visiting. Weapon demonstrations take place each day. See medieval knights on horseback or try your hand at the "pike college"! Co-sponsored by Smoke & Fire Co.

Independence Day 1813

July 4, 2012

SPECIAL HOURS:

12:00 - 5:00 p.m.

July 4, 1813 was celebrated with cannon firings, toasts, music, and a day of leisure at Fort Meigs. War of 1812 soldiers and civilians will recreate this day through cannon firings, demonstrations, and hands-on activities for children. The highlight of the day is the eighteen-gun National Salute accompanied by toasts and fife and drum music starting at 2 p.m. on Monday, July 4. A War of 1812 living history encampment, weapons demonstrations, and more take place throughout the weekend.

Life in Early Ohio

August 25 - 26, 2012

Blacksmithing, coopering, and tinsmithing are just a few historic skills that are considered lost arts today. In 1813 they were common skills learned by tradesmen. Come see these skills and learn about a different side of life in early Ohio. This event is sure to be a blast with trades demonstrations, workshops, music, and more!

Garrison Ghost Walk

October 19 - 20 & 26 - 27, 2012

Come to Fort Meigs for a "spirited" stroll this fall at the Garrison Ghost Walk. Tour the fort with your 1812 guide and encounter the spookier side of this historic place. The whole family will enjoy hearing tales from the past, and while the ghosts may not be real, the fun certainly is! Proceeds from this event go to the Old Northwest Military History Association. Reservations required starting September 1. Call (800) 283-8916 for reservations.

The World at War: Miniature War Gaming Day

November 3, 2012

Come fight the War of 1812, World War I, and World War II all in one room! Miniature war gaming experts help you play more than 16 different war games and learn about this family friendly hobby. No experience is required and kids are welcome. Food will be available on site. Admission price includes the miniature war gaming and the museum. All new games this year! Co-sponsored by the Historical Miniatures Gaming Society, Great Lakes Chapter.

Holiday Open House

December 9, 2012

Join us in the 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. While you're here, shop our museum store for unique holiday gifts! Site open Noon - 5:00 p.m. Open house hours 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.