Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial |
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 Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial
Location in Ohio
Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial
Location in the United States
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| Location | Put-in-Bay, Ohio, United States |
| Nearest city | Sandusky, Ohio |
| Area | 25.38 acres (10.27 ha) 24.97 acres (10.11 ha) federal |
| Established | June 2, 1936 |
| Visitors | 155,689 (in 2005) |
| Governing body | National Park Service |
| Website | Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial |
| Designated | October 15, 1966 (original) April 28, 2015 (increase) |
| Reference no. | 66000118, 15000185 |
The Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial is a special place that remembers an important battle. This battle, called the Battle of Lake Erie, happened near Ohio's South Bass Island. In this battle, a brave leader named Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry led his ships to a big victory. It was one of the most important naval battles during the War of 1812. The memorial is located on a narrow strip of land on the island. It also celebrates the long-lasting peace that came after the war between Britain, Canada, and the United States.
Contents
About the Memorial Column
Building a Giant Column
A huge monument, about 352-foot (107 m) tall, was built in Put-in-Bay, Ohio. This column is the tallest Doric column in the world. A Doric column is a type of ancient Greek column known for its simple design. It was built between 1912 and 1915. The goal was to "teach lessons about international peace." This means showing how countries can solve problems without fighting.
The design for the memorial was chosen through a worldwide competition. Joseph H. Freelander and A.D. Seymour created the winning design.
Why This Memorial Is Important
The Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial was created for two main reasons. First, it honors the brave people who fought in the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812. Second, it celebrates the lasting peace between Britain, Canada, and the U.S. This peace has continued for a very long time.
The tall memorial column stands proudly over Lake Erie. It is only about five miles from the border between the U.S. and Canada.
Who Is Buried Here?
Even though the monument is named after Oliver Hazard Perry, he is not buried there. He is buried in Newport, Rhode Island. Instead, the remains of six officers who died during the battle are buried under the monument's main rotunda. Three of these officers were American, and three were British.
Inside the rotunda, you can see names carved into the walls. These are the names of soldiers and sailors who were killed or hurt in the Battle of Lake Erie. You can also read the words of the Rush–Bagot Treaty. This treaty helped to create peace between the U.S. and Great Britain after the war.
A Unique Peace Monument
This Doric Column is the only international peace memorial in the United States National Park System. It is even taller than the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor. The observation deck at the top of the column is 12 feet higher than the Statue of Liberty's torch.
Visiting the Top
To visit the observation deck, you first walk up 37 steps. Then, a park ranger will take you up to the top in an elevator. There is a small fee for adults aged 16 and older. Kids 15 and younger can visit for free.
Rangers are at the top to answer questions and share stories about the memorial's history. From the top, you can see amazing views of Lake Erie. You can also see the islands and mainland of Ohio. Plus, you can spot nearby islands in Ontario, Canada. This includes Middle Island, which is the southernmost point of land in Canada.
Tallest Monuments in the U.S.
The Perry's Victory column is one of the tallest monuments in the United States. Other taller monuments include the Gateway Arch, the San Jacinto Monument, and the Washington Monument.
Even though the monument was mostly finished by 1915, there were some money problems. This meant the full memorial complex couldn't be completed right away. In 1919, the U.S. government took over the monument and gave more money. The official dedication ceremony happened on July 31, 1931. In 2002, a new visitor center was built for $2.4 million. About 200,000 people visit the memorial every year.
How the Memorial Was Managed
The memorial was first created by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on June 2, 1936. It was called "Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial National Monument." Later, on October 26, 1972, it was renamed a National Memorial.
Like all historic places managed by the National Park Service, the memorial was added to the National Register of Historic Places on October 15, 1966. This list recognizes important historical sites. The boundaries of the listed area were expanded in 2015.
Perry's Memorial on a U.S. Quarter
The Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial was chosen to represent Ohio on a special U.S. quarter coin. This coin was part of the "America the Beautiful Quarters" series. This series honored a national site from every U.S. state, district, or territory.
The coin's design shows Oliver Hazard Perry on the back. It features a statue of Perry with the International Peace Memorial in the background. This design was chosen from eleven different ideas.
Repairs and Closures
Fixing the Monument
The memorial had to close for most of the summer in 2006. This happened after a large piece of granite weighing 500 pounds (about 230 kg) broke off. It fell 315 feet (96 m) from the observation deck and made a hole in the plaza below. Luckily, no one was hurt.
After experts checked the structure and said it was safe, the memorial reopened on August 26, 2006. A fence was put around it for safety.
The monument closed again on September 30, 2009, for more repairs. It reopened on July 12, 2012. It also closed for repairs and cleaning during the summer of 2017.
Boy Scouts and the Memorial
Every year, the monument hosts a large Boy Scout camporee. This event is organized by Troop 360 from Port Clinton, Ohio. Many scout troops come to camp on the monument grounds. However, this event can be affected by bad weather. Sometimes, it has been canceled because of flooding concerns.
Images for kids
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Flags of Canada, the U.S., and the U.K. fly next to the memorial at equal height.
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View from the top of the Column at Perry's Memorial
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Inside the rotunda at the base of the column
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The memorial column can be seen from the visitor center behind a statue of Commodore Perry.
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The Memorial Plaque on the Floor of the Rotunda
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Steps inside Perry's Monument
