Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial

VISITATION:

Approximately 208,000 in 1995 - July and August are the busiest months.

LOCATION:

Put-in-Bay, South Bass Island, Ohio

ADDRESS:

93 Delaware Avenue, P.O. Box 549
Put-in-Bay, Ohio 43456
E-Mail: pevi_superintendent @nps.gov

TELEPHONE:

(419) 285-2184
Fax: (419) 285-2516

OPERATING HOURS, SEASONS:

Late April to mid-May; October 10AM to 5PM daily
Mid-May to mid-June; September 10AM to 6PM daily
Mid June to early September 10AM to 7PM daily
Late October to late April open by prior appointment

CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHING:

Spring - generally cool and windy into June, as Lake Erie keeps things chilly. Summer - varies, usually quite comfortable, but can be hot and very humid. Fall - generally mild and breezy. Clothing - weather can change quickly on Lake Erie, so be prepared with the proper clothing.

TRANSPORTATION TO THE PARK:

Perry's Victory is scenically located on South Bass Island, in the popular resort village of Put-in-Bay, near both Port Clinton and Sandusky, Ohio. Access to the island is by public ferry or plane only. Facilities are available on the island for private planes and boats.

- Griffing Island Airlines/Flying Service (800-368-3743): Year round transit to Put-in-Bay and all of the Lake Erie Islands from Port Clinton and Sandusky. Reservations are required.

- Miller Boat Line (800-500-2421): Auto and passenger ferry operates April to November from near Port Clinton (Catawba Point) to the south end of South Bass Island. Some restrictions apply to transportation of vehicles, so it is suggested that you plan to leave your car on the mainland and walk on the ferry. No reservations needed or available.

- Put-in-Bay Boat Lines-Jet Express (800-245-1538): Passenger-only ferry operates seasonally from downtown Port Clinton to Put-in-Bay.

- Drawbridge Boat Lines-Island Hopper (800-903-3779): Passenger-only ferry operates seasonally from downtown Port Clinton to Put-in-Bay and Kelley's Island.

DIRECTIONS:

• By car -
  FROM THE EAST: Ohio Turnpike to Exit 7 (U.S. 250). Take U.S. 250 north to S.R. 2.
  - to Griffing Flying Service (Sandusky): pass the S.R. 2 interchange, continue north on U.S. 250, and follow signs to Griffing-Sandusky Airport. Parking available.
  - to Miller Boat Line: take S.R. 2 east to S.R. 53 north, and drive north; the highway ends at the ferry dock. Parking available.
  - to ferries in Port Clinton: take S.R. 2 east to S.R. 163 west, and follow the "passenger-only" sign west, to Jefferson St. Parking available, but limited.
  FROM THE WEST: Ohio Turnpike to Exit 6 (S.R. 53). Take S.R. 53 north to S.R. 2.
  - to ferries in Port Clinton: pass S.R. 2, and continue north, staying on Fremont Rd. Follow signs for ferry or business district; docks are at the end of Jefferson St. Parking available but limited.
  - Miller Boat Line: take S.R. 2 west to S.R. 53 north and head north; the highway ends at the ferry dock. Parking available.
  - Griffing Island Airlines (Port Clinton): take S.R. 2 west to S.R. 53 north, and turn left at the stoplight, which is at the end of the exit ramp. Carl Keller Field is a 1/2 mile down the road on the right. Parking available.
  
• By air -
  Major airlines: Nearby cities with large airports are Cleveland, Toledo and Detroit.
  Private plane: Put-in-Bay Airport is open daily from dawn to dusk. A small landing fee is charged, and tie-downs are available.
  
• By train - Amtrak's Lake Shore Limited stops in Sandusky and Toledo; the Capitol Limited stops only in Toledo.

TRANSPORTATION IN PARK [ON THE ISLAND]:

Once you arrive at South Bass Island, the park and most other attractions are either within walking distance, or a short bus or taxi ride away; rates are quite reasonable. Golf cart/bicycle rentals are also available. Services limited during the off-season.

FEES, COSTS, RATES:

- PARK ENTRANCE FEE:
Adult daily entrance (age 17 and over) $ 3.00
Children daily entrance (16 and under, must be accompanied by an adult) - No Charge
Holders of Golden Age/Eagle/Access Passports and Park Pass - No Charge

- PASSPORTS AND PASSES:
Golden Age Passport (U.S. Citizens - age 62 and over) $10.00
A lifetime pass - valid at all national parks, includes spouse and children

Golden Eagle Passport $50.00
Valid at all national parks for 12 months, includes spouse, children and parents.

Golden Access Passport (U.S. Citizes - persons blind or disabled) No charge
A lifetime pass - valid at all national parks, includes spouse and children.

Annual Park Pass $10.00
Valid at Perry's Victory for a full season, includes spouse, family and parents

FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:

Perry's Monument rises 352' above Lake Erie, and is an imposing sight that dominates the island. Visitors may enter the rotunda of the monument; it commemorates those Americans killed or wounded in the Battle of Lake Erie; the remains of six officers, three British and three Americans, also rest in the crypt below the rotunda floor. After a 37 step climb, visitors may ride an elevator to a height of 317' and exit on the tallest open-air observation deck in the National Park System. On a moderately clear day all of the Lake Erie Islands and the Ohio, Michigan and Canadian mainlands can be observed. The U.S. - Canadian border, the longest unguarded international boundary in the world, is just five miles away.

Programs and Activities:

The elevator to the observation deck operates continuously between posted hours; rangers are stationed on the deck and are available to answer questions and provide assistance. Throughout the day from approximately mid-June to the end of August, rangers also give a short talk on the Battle of Lake Erie, the War of 1812, the building of Perry's Monument, and other topics of local interest in front of the monument.

On weekends from approximately mid-June to the end of August, costumed demonstrators give presentations on the Battle, the War of 1812, and military and civilian life in the early 19th century. These exhibitions are concluded with a musket firing demonstration, using reproduction weapons. New in 1997 will be firing demonstrations of a 32-pound carronade, an authentic reproduction of the type used at the Battle of Lake Erie. Call the park for schedules. Other special activities are described below.

Visitor Contact Station, Exhibits, Cooperating Association:

A small building located in front of the Memorial serves as an information station for the public. Several displays relating aspects of the Battle of Lake Erie, the War of 1812 and the building of Perry's Monument are inside. In addition, a small but diverse bookstore sells publications, audio-visual items and theme-related souvenirs. See sales information below.

Lodging, camping, food and supplies:

No facilities lie within park boundaries. However, Put-in-Bay and South Bass Island have numerous motels, bed & breakfasts, restaurants, carry-outs and a grocery store; more facilities are on the mainland. Two campgrounds are located on the island. Contact the Put-in-Bay Chamber of Commerce for more information: P.O. Box 250, Put-in-Bay, OH 43456, (419) 285-2832.

Accessibility:

Visitor Contact Station, restrooms, and interpretive programs: all accessible.

Memorial Column: The designer of Perry's Memorial felt that the noise and traffic surrounding the elevator operation would be intrusive and disrespectful to the commemorative nature of the rotunda and to the officers buried within it. So, he placed the elevator landing on the 2nd floor of the column, 2 flights of stairs above the rotunda. Hence, the monument is not accessible to those with physical constraints.

Special needs:

Special requests for demonstrations and other accommodations can be made by calling the park in advance, including winter tours.

RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES, PARK USE:

Visit the Memorial, including the rotunda and the observation deck. Participate in a costumed demonstration/ranger talk. Enjoy an evening concert or program. Relax by sunbathing, kite flying, fishing, and other passive recreational activities on park grounds.

RESERVATIONS, PERMITS:

Bona-fide educational groups are eligible for an entrance fee waiver. Groups must contact the park approximately two weeks before arrival to qualify. All school groups must have at least on chaperon for every 10 students. Group entrance tickets are available in advance of a visit for the same fee as the general public, but such groups cannot reserve a time slot. A permit for all special activities must be obtained at the park office.

BASIC VISITOR RECOMMENDATIONS:

A visit of two hours is recommended to take in the Memorial, the Visitor Contact station and interpretive presentations. There may be a wait to ride the elevator to the observation deck in the summer. Information on the area is available in the VCS.

SPECIAL EVENTS, PROGRAMS:

An event commemorating the Anniversary of the Battle of Lake Erie is held each year the weekend after Labor Day. Events marking the anniversary include War of 1812 reenactors/living history encampment, military demonstrations, Boy Scout encampment, commemorative ceremonies, and an evening concert. Other concerts, ceremonies and family activities take place on the plazas in front of the monument throughout the season, including fireworks on the Fourth of July.

VISITOR IMPACTS:

Lightning activity in the area is one of the only events that may close the observation deck. These closings often last no more than 15-20 minutes, and information on the observation deck status can be obtained at the VCS.

ADJACENT VISITOR ATTRACTIONS/RELATED SITES:

- Put-in-Bay: The Lake Erie Islands are an extremely popular summer resort area for both day visits and long-term vacations. A variety of attractions, including caves, wineries, museums and gift shops are located in Put-in-Bay. Contact the Put-in- Bay Chamber of Commerce for more information: P.O. Box 250, Put-in-Bay, OH 43456, (419) 285-2832.
- Nearby National Parks: Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area, between Cleveland and Akron, Ohio; James A. Garfield National Historic Site,in Mentor, Ohio (east of Cleveland).
- Related War of 1812 sites: Numerous sites around the Great Lakes, such as Fort Meigs State Memorial in Perrysburg, Ohio, and Fort Malden National Historical Park in Amherstburg, Ontario, are within a few hour's drive of Put-in-Bay. Contact us for a brochure and other information. Other related NPS sites include Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine in Baltimore, Maryland; and Chalmette National Historical Park near New Orleans, Louisiana.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Recommended reading, book sales: Here are several titles recommended for further information on the Battle of Lake Erie, the War of 1812, and international peace:
Oliver Hazard Perry and the Battle of Lake Erie , by Gerard T. Altoff, (The Perry Group, 1989)**
We Have Met the Enemy, by Richard Dillon (McGraw-Hill, 1978); biography of Perry.
Flames Across the Border: The Canadian-American Tragedy , 1813-1814 by Pierre Burton (Penguin Books Canada, 1980); the Canadian version of the War of 1812, part 2.**
The Invasion of Canada: 1812-1813 , by Pierre Burton (Penguin Books Canada, 1981); the Canadian version of the War of 1812, part 1.**
Oliver Hazard Perry by Charles Dutton (Longmans, Green & Co.,1935).
War of 1812 in the Old Northwest by Alec Gilpin (Michigan State University Press, 1958).
Those titles marked with (**), plus many more, are available for sale through Eastern National Park and Monument Association here at Perry's Victory. For a complete price list, more information, or to order - Call: (419) 285-2184 or write: Eastern National, P.O. Box 549, Put-in-Bay, Ohio 43456 OR e-mail: pevi_ interpretation@nps.gov

Finally, if you have any questions, would like brochures or more information, please contact us:
Call: (419) 285-2184
or write: Superintendent, Perry's Victory & I.P.M., P.O. Box 549, Put-in-Bay, Ohio 43456
or e-mail:pevi _superintendent@nps.gov

Last Updated:Friday, 30-May-97 12:16:57
http://www.nps.gov/pevi/