Legacy of Freedom

Legacy of Freedom: The Fort Meigs Museum

THE EXHIBITS

Era - Discover frontier Ohio. This section of the Fort Meigs Museum is filled with maps and descriptions of the early Native inhabitants and how they came into conflict with Europeans and Americans.
Era
Discover frontier Ohio. This section of the Fort Meigs Museum is filled with maps and descriptions of the early Native inhabitants and how they came into conflict with Europeans and Americans.
Conflict Explore the history of the War of 1812 and the role that Fort Meigs played within the war. Hundreds of artifacts, most of which were found on-site, help tell the story of Fort Meigs.
Conflict

Explore the history of the War of 1812 and the role that Fort Meigs played within the war. Hundreds of artifacts, most of which were found on-site, help tell the story of Fort Meigs.

Understanding Learn how archaeologists and historians were able to discover what took place here 200 years ago. Watch a video about the discovery of two horses found buried here - the first horses ever recovered from a War of 1812 site.
Understanding

Learn how archaeologists and historians were able to discover what took place here 200 years ago. Watch a video about the discovery of two horses found buried here – the first horses ever recovered from a War of 1812 site.

Remembrance - Learn how the men who served at Fort Meigs remembered their experiences, as well as how people of later generations immortalized them.
Remembrance

Learn how the men who served at Fort Meigs remembered their experiences, as well as how people of later generations immortalized them.

THE ARTIFACTS

This is just a small sample of the artifacts found on display at Fort Meigs. More artifacts will be highlighted as time goes on.

GREENVILLE TREATY WAMPUM BELT OHC Artifact ID#: H50297 Date of Origin: 1795 Composition: Buckskin belt adorned with ten rows of white and black wampum arranged in a diagonal stripe pattern. Significance: This is a wampum belt given by Miami Chief Little Turtle to United States General Anthony Wayne on the occasion of the Treaty of Greenville. Wampum is made from a shellfish found only in the North Atlantic. It was used to adorn items of religious or political importance. The patterns formed by the shells can even encode messages. Wampum belts were often sent by couriers as a message of war or peace among the tribes. They were often exchanged at treaty negotiations to solemnize the agreements. The Treaty of Greenville established a firm border for the future State of Ohio, while preserving a corner of the state for Indian use. It ended a period of warfare that had lasted for ten years and laid the foundation for white settlement in the Midwestern states. General Wayne died in 1796 at Erie, Pennsylvania. Little Turtle passed away near Fort Wayne Indiana, only four days before the War of 1812 was declared.

Greenville Treaty Wampum Belt

FRANKLINTON COURTHOUSE WEATHERVANE OHC Artifact ID#: H84075 Date of Origin: 1807 Composition: Copper sheeting edged and riveted with iron strips, and remnants of gold leaf. Significance: This weathervane once perched atop the old Franklin County Courthouse in Franklinton, Ohio (now Columbus). It has been perforated with many large holes, allegedly from militia who were training in the town during the War of 1812. Franklinton was the principal town of Central Ohio during the War of 1812, and many men were stationed there on their way north over the military roads to Fort Meigs. During the War of 1812, many Ohio towns found themselves hosting small to large contingents of armed men. The Mississinewa expedition into Indiana was launched from Franklinton, and it remained a center for recruiting and supplies for the rest of the war. The war effort made Franklinton into a boom town, but by 1815 many of its residents were already relocating to the site of the new Ohio capital, across the Scioto River at Columbus.

Franklinton Courthouse Weathervane

Ohio Militia Musician's Coatee

Ohio Militia Musician’s Coatee

5.5" Bomb Fragments

5.5″ Bomb Fragments

General Henry Proctor's Watch Chain and Fob

General Henry Proctor’s
Watch Chain and Fob

General Henry Proctor's Letter Seal

General Henry Proctor’s Letter Seal

Francis Tansel Powder Horn

Francis Tansel Powder Horn

Prisoner Report to Colonel Bostwick

Prisoner Report to General Bostwick

"We have yet to speak of the slain, the wounded, and the dying, as these must be taken into the account in reckoning the cost."

~ Private Alfred M. Lorrain
Virginia Militia

Photo credit: Weaver