Begin Your Journey Into the Past

         Begin your journey in the Visitor Center at Fort Meigs. Inside you will find our museum store where you can purchase tickets to explore the fort and find unique books and gift items. The museum, education center, restrooms and vending machines are all found in the Visitor Center. All visits to Fort Meigs begin and end here. It is your gateway to the past. 

          We prepare you for your journey into the past with a short video that explains the importance of the fort and the events that occurred here. When finished, feel free to enter into the fort or take in our museum.

The museum is divided into four areas: Era, Conflict, Understanding, and Remembrance. In Era you will discover frontier Ohio, with maps and descriptions of the early Native inhabitants. The Sixty Years  War for the Ohio Country, describes the struggle between Americans and Indians for control of Ohio. This part of the museum also discusses the events which directly led up to the War of 1812.

Conflict explores the history of the War of 1812, and the role that Fort Meigs played within the war. Hundreds of artifacts, most of which were found on the site, tell the story of Fort Meigs. Axe heads, chains, nails, and pieces of the original fort wall tell of the construction of Fort Meigs. The soldiers’ personal items, such as razors, scissors, and playing dice that were left behind display the humanity of the men who served. Original muskets, swords, and cannon balls unearthed from the fort’s grounds give a grim picture of the bloody conflict that took place along the banks of the Maumee.

Understanding explains how archaeologists and historians were able to discover what took place here 200 years ago. Watch a video about the discovery of two horses found buried here, the first horses found at a War of 1812 site or see if you can determine the mystery behind why some soldiers chewed on lead bullets.

Reflect on the events that occurred at Fort Meigs in Remembrance. Learn how the men who served at the fort remembered their experiences, as well as how people of later generations immortalized them. Here, you can also learn more about the individuals that stood out within Fort Meigs’ history. 

         A hallway heading north from the gift shop leads you to the reconstructed fort. Along the path just outside the Visitor Center, you will begin your fort tour with interpretive signs discussing the early events of the War of 1812. The path then leads to the main gate of Fort Meigs

Complete your journey with a stop in the museum store. The Ohio History Store at Fort Meigs is a book lover's paradise. Feel free to browse through hundreds of books on subjects ranging from military history to local history. Find unique gift items including historic items made at Colonial Williamsburg such as scented soaps, eating utensils, caps, and ink and quill sets. No stop to the fort is complete without souvenirs, including postcards, hats, shirts, and jewelry. A number of videos and DVDs on various early American history topics can also be found. Children will enjoy shopping for toys such as plastic swords, wooden muskets, and miniature soldiers.