A Visit To Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial

Like most others, my family has a bunch of different interests. Take television, for example. I love sitcoms and a little bit of reality tv (don’t judge). Jim loves anything on the History channel. D loves to watch shows like “Storage Wars” with a little bit of “Mythbusters” on the side. J overlaps all of us, but his go-to show as of late is “Friends”. My sister likes all kinds of tv, from British shows to reality to documentaries to sitcoms. That’s just one example…don’t even get me started on music, sports teams, food, or any other category (times of day, even!) because all five of us run the gamut.

Because we are all so different, it takes a lot to try and plan out our family leisure time. Of course, you can’t please everyone all the time but it’s nice when the opportunity is there to try. When I was choosing activities for our Lake Erie Shores and Islands trip a couple of weeks ago (read about it HERE and HERE), I tried to throw a little something in there for everybody.

When I came across Perry’s Victory & International Peace Memorial in Put-In-Bay, I have to admit that I let out a heavy sigh because I’m not super-excited by historical attractions. At first glance I thought Jim would be very interested in visiting it, and then I started to read more about it and thought, “Hmm, this might be interesting for ALL of us!”

And it was.

I think it would be interesting for you, too, which is why I’m doing this extra post from our trip about this national treasure that is nestled in the Midwest.

First of all, it’s beautiful. I mean, look at it.

From the website:

Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial was established to honor those who fought in the Battle of Lake Erie, during the War of 1812, and to celebrate the long-lasting peace between Britain, Canada and the U.S. The Memorial, a Doric column, rising 352 feet over Lake Erie is situated 5 miles from the longest undefended border in the world.

Visiting the memorial is a complete experience that begins in the Visitor Center, which is free. The Visitor Center is home to a mini-museum that is chock full of historical information but doesn’t take too long to explore, and a gift shop.

For me, the most exciting part was heading outside to the memorial itself and riding up the elevator to get to the top. (The Memorial costs $3.00 for people who are sixteen and older. Fifteen and younger get to go in for free as long as an adult accompanies them.) The memorial, which just reopened in July after three years’ worth of extensive repairs and restoration, is the world’s most massive Doric column and is absolutely gorgeous at the top (well, at the bottom too, but you know what I mean).

And the views? Wow.

Here are some things you should know:

~The folks at the Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial try to schedule lots of family activities at the same time as scheduled “adult-oriented” activities in Put-In-Bay.

~There are some really cool opportunities for scouts at the Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial. Click here to learn more about that.

~Kids ages five to twelve can become both a Junior Ranger AND a Great Lakes Junior Ranger. Click here for that information. I think these are not only great opportunities for any ole’ kids, but especially home-schooled ones.

~On the weekends you can get a living history demo from the Rangers.

~Don’t try to go there if it’s storming: the Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial closes down when there is lightening, due to it being the tallest structure in the area: basically a huge lightening rod!

I am so glad I (and my family) got to enjoy this national monument. Tell me, do you have a “hidden” national treasure in your neck of the woods?

Disclosure: Accommodations and attractions were provided by Green Door Mediaworks and their partners at Lake Erie Shores and Islands. I was not asked to write in any particular style or even about anything in particular; they just hoped that I would have a good time and share my experience, and I did, so I am. My family enjoyed this weekend immensely and we thank our hosts for their hospitality!