Commodore Perry's Longboat

A replica of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry's longboat rowed between flagships in the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812. Mid-May through mid-October the longboat is located next to the visitor center just off the parking lot.

• Access Perry’s Longboat from the visitor center parking lot and next to the visitor center. Perry’s Longboat is about 20 feet long. It tapers to a point at the bow and curves to a flat end at the stern. It is 6.5 feet at its widest center point. The curved shape of the boat is created by 8 horizontal uniquely shaped boards on each side. These boards are glued overlapping the one below it so if you were to run your hand down the boat you could feel each individual board. The top board on each side is made wider and is stained wood rather than painted. Along the top trim of the boat on the starboard and port sides, there two are indents made to hold the four wooden oars that lay inside the boat. The bow of the boat comes to a point. This is where Commodore Perry may have sat facing the men who rowed the boat. At the stern is a wood tiller that is used to turn the rudder below the boat and thus steer the vessel. Inside the boat crossing from port to starboard are four red planks with a center post under each that the rowers would sit upon. The boat sits on a metal trailer with wheels, making it approximately 4 feet tall.

Flags of International Peace

The international peace aspect of the Memorial is represented in several ways throughout the park but most visibly at the flag poles. Situated midway between the visitor center and the Memorial are three poles. During the summer, everyday around 9:45 am, National Park Service Rangers in park uniform and sometimes in 1812 military dress, raise and salute the official flags from the United States, Canada and Great Britain.

• Along the sidewalk, halfway between the visitor center and the Memorial are three flag poles approximately 50 feet tall. The flag poles are silver and have bronze spheres at the top. During the summer, everyday around 9:45 am, National Park Service Rangers in uniform and sometimes in 1812 military dress raise and salute three flags. The U.S. flag goes up first on the right (closest to the Memorial), followed by the British in the center and the Canadian flag on the left. All three flags fly at the same height throughout the day. Around 6 pm every evening, the three flags are lowered in reverse order. Once all three flags are lowered and properly folded, a blue flag with the words “Don’t Give Up The Ship” is flown. This flag is representative of a flag that Commodore Perry raised on his flagships during the Battle of Lake Erie.

Visitor Center

• Visitor Center
• The visitor center is open mid-May through mid-October. Enjoy a 15-minute film on the Battle of Lake Erie and Perry's Victory. Exhibits trace the events of the War of 1812, the armament of the time and more. A 2-story window offers a view of the 352-foot marble memorial. An interactive exhibit explores the memorial's construction and the peace that has endured since the War of 1812 between the United States, Great Britain, and Canada. Purchase tickets to the memorial observation deck.

• See the Battle of Lake Erie
• See the Battle of Lake Erie in color. Free 15-minute video about the war, battle, peace and memorial.

• Catch a Historic Weapons Demonstrations
• Come see how men dressed and fought in the War of 1812.