05/25/2012
By: Web Staff
SACKETS HARBOR, N.Y. — It’s a special Memorial Day Weekend on the “Old Battleground” in Sackets Harbor. The New York State historic site is celebrating its bicentennial this year.
During the War of 1812 with Great Britain, two battles were fought at Sackets in 1812 and 1813, making it a special place to honor. After the war, the area in front of the Navy Yard was named Centennial Park and it was used for picnics, meetings and celebrations.
In 1967, New York State took over the Navy Yard and continues to expand the site to this day. But after 200 years, officials are taking some time to highlight the importance of Sackets Harbor during the war.
“Sackets Harbor, of course, was the headquarters for the military, the Army, Navy and Marines, here on the northern frontier during the war years and it was also the ship building center on the Great Lakes, particularly Lake Ontario, and as we were trying to control Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River, the communications route, so both sides were trying to build enough ships and have enough troops here to control the waterway,” said site manager Constance Barone.
This weekend will feature a display of field camp cooking as well as a musket and cannon demonstration. And those looking to visit the historic site later in the summer, can always take on the history trail or check out the cell phone guide program.
1812 News 