A glance at the Great Lakes states

VFW Magazine, August, 2004 by Shannon Hanson

Deadly battle of the War of 1812. Exhibits include dioramas, maps, mannequins and a 15-minute auditorium presentation. Markers and two monuments in town.

Selfridge Military Air Museum Selfridge Air National Guard Base (586) 307-5035.

Covers history of Michigan Air National Guard, WWI through Iraq. Air park displays more than 30 aircraft.

OHIO

Ohio Historical Center Columbus, (614) 297-2300.

One exhibit on Ohio in the Civil War.

James A. Garfield National Historic Site, Mentor, (440) 255-8722.

Restored home of the 20th U.S. President. Covers his time as a Civil War general.

Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial, Put-in-Bay (South Bass Island), (419) 285-2184.

Site of War of 1812 Battle of Lake Erie, (Sept. 10, 1813). 352-foot pink granite monument with engraved names of American casualties. Interpretive talks and living history demonstrations available summers only.

Big Bottom State Monument Stockport, (614) 297-2630.

Site of a January 1791 skirmish between settlers and Indians that marked the start of four years of frontier warfare in Ohio. Descriptive signs, 12-foot marble obelisk.

Buffington Island State Memorial Portland, (614) 297-2630.

Site of only significant Civil War battle in Ohio (1863). Descriptive signs, stone monument.

Fallen Timbers State Memorial Maumee, (419) 535-3050.

Site of August 1794 battle and U.S. victory over Indians. Monuments to soldiers and Indians who died there, and Gen. Anthony Wayne.

Fort Amanda State Memorial Lima, 1-800-283-8713.

A major supply depot during the War of 1812 marked by a monument and burial ground.

Fort Laurens State Memorial Bolivar, (330) 874-2059.

Withstood a month-long siege by British-led Indians in 1778. Small museum commemorates the frontier soldier. Site of Tomb of an Unknown Soldier from the Revolutionary War.

Fort Meigs State Memorial Perrysburg, (419) 874-4121.

Built in 1813, fort was besieged twice by British and Canadian troops, assisted by Indians. 7 reconstructed blockhouses form one of the largest log forts in the country. New Museum and Education Center's 3,000 square feet include soldier letters and diaries, weapons, maps and uniforms to describe fort's role during the War of 1812.

Fort Recovery State Memorial Fort Recovery, (419) 375-4649.

Repulsed Indian attack in 1794, explained on outdoor plaques. Museum covers various campaigns and has soldier displays. Two reconstructed blockhouses with connecting stockade.

Fort St. Clair Park Eaton, (937) 456-4125.

Site of 1792 battle with Miami Indians. Plaques explain battle.

Motts Military Museum Groveport, (614) 836-1500.

Covers military history from pre-Revolutionary War times through Persian Gulf War, including uniforms, weapons, vehicles and memorabilia.

National McKinley Birthplace Memorial, Niles, (330) 652-1704.

Marble statue of the 25th President and museum, which includes Civil War and Spanish-American War artifacts.

Ohio Society of Military History Museum, Massillon, (330) 832-5553.

Covers Ohio military history from Civil War through Persian Gulf War, with collections of medals, photographs, uniforms, letters, documents and memorabilia. Exhibits emphasize the individuals who served.