200 Year Anniversary of the War of 1812
Post submitted by: Randy Reade
In just seven years, the country will be celebrating the beginning of the War of 1812 against Britain. As every Buffalonian should know, the war was fought to a large extent on the Niagara Peninsula and WNY, culminating with the burning of Niagara-on-the-Lake and the Village of Buffalo. This war is often called "the forgotten war" because its causes seemed to be silly, and we came so close to losing it.
It's for that exact reason that Buffalo should seize upon the opportunity to focus a spotlight upon our community and the role our region played in helping to shape the young nation. Most Americans know about the burning of Washington, DC, the battle for Fort McHenry and New Orleans, but those were just a few keys events that happened near the end of the war. The History Channel spent two full hours covering the war of 1812 and hardly even mentioned the first year and half that took place in our region! From 2012 to 2014, we should reclaim our history by creating events that will attract tourists and historians from around the country and the world to our region...
If we want an international spotlight on our region, we should start planning now for:
- Reenactment of key battles for that entire period exactly as they occurred, which would include Fort Niagara and historical fights on the Canadian side. That's almost 18 months of battles!
- Highlighting cemeteries and period buildings still standing, while creating a map of the region for devotees to see every aspect of the war and time period still in existence.
- Scholarly seminars on the importance of the war to the young nation, and how it changed us as a country as well as a city.
- Describing relations among the adversaries during, before and after the war, which include Canada, Britain and the US and the various Indian nations that fought for both sides. A Tri-National Commission on the War of 1812 should be created to coordinate these activities.
- Visiting dignitaries both TO and FROM those countries and the Indian nations. Chartered vacations to all major cities could be arranged for everyone to participate in. Festivities to promote peace and economic cooperation among us all.
- Setting up a network for the cities most affected by the war, which include Detroit, Toronto, Buffalo, Washington DC, Baltimore and New Orleans, so that people can travel to battle sites and get information easily. Push tourism!
- Funding new research to revise the common view that this was an unimportant war.
- Researching and recreating the lives of ordinary and extraordinary Buffalonians during the War, including information on local cuisine, sanitation, natural history, transportation, music, fashion and so on.
- Showing the world how important Buffalo was immediately after the War to the nation and the world, and how it grew in the next hundred years to be one of the richest and most important cities in the country. Directly focusing on our architecture and cultural institutions and the innovations of the time. Visitors could see how a 19th century American city actually grew.
- Producing newspaper articles, books, lectures and (hold your breath) locally produced films and videos to educate and promote the war.
- If this is a major event, we should consider inviting the President of the US, the Prime Ministers of Canada and Britain, and perhaps a member of the royal family, to visit the burned cities and reaffirm the terms of peace among our nations.
We can make this a local event of just passing interest. Or, we can do as Philadelphia did during the Bicentennial and make this a major event, which would attract heads of state. It's completely up to us. Philly did it, and they had the Queen and President Ford in attendance. And ever since 1976, they have been milking the events of 1776 every summer to promote tourism. It's all up to us to make the most of it!
Virtually every cultural institution in Buffalo can find a role to play in this two year celebration, and our hospitality industry should support this in order to gain maximum national and worldwide coverage. We should start the dialogue now!
Image: A View of The Lake & Fort Erie, from Buffalo Creek. Fort Erie was part of the chain of communications between Lakes Erie and Ontario. Seized by American forces in July 1814, Fort Erie was the center of several engagements during that year. This view, in quieter times before the war, shows its important harbour.
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Randy
Ideas? Comments? Want to help? Let's get this thing going! Email me at zltd@zipzone.net
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TR
Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't there a fort in Buffalo at one point? If so, what happened to it? Also, maybe this would be the year to recreate the original site down by the river/lake. Maybe they could even unearth the site, unlees the Peace Bridge was built on it.
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comptart
It was Fort Porter and I'm sure there is info at the library and Historical Museum. "Bob B" referenced it during a tour of Front Park, when Peace Bridge open-process was going on. I'm sure someone more knowledgable than I could be of more help. Re-enactment and making an event of this anniversary would be AMAZING and Randy is trying to plan WELL ahead (not something we've come to expect in our "little town") o I hope he gets lots of interest, I can already think of one person to make aware of his project's potential. If it gets off the ground, I hope he (Randy could be a she?) will keep BRO in the loop. o it's my "everyday news" of choice!
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comptart
It was Fort Porter and I'm sure there is info at the library and Historical Museum. "Bob B" referenced it during a tour of Front Park, when Peace Bridge open-process was going on. I'm sure someone more knowledgable than I could be of more help. Re-enactment and making an event of this anniversary would be AMAZING and Randy is trying to plan WELL ahead (not something we've come to expect in our "little town") o I hope he gets lots of interest, I can already think of one person to make aware of his project's potential. If it gets off the ground, I hope he (Randy could be a she?) will keep BRO in the loop. o it's my "everyday news" of choice!
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Simon
I say we bring the old cannons and cannon balls back to Soldier's Place. We really need to bring back this part ob Buffalo's history. Even if they are not the same, there have to be some nice replicas out there. I think I read on this website that the cannon balls were sold for scrap. Great submission on the War of 1812. Good Luck!
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Robert Evans
Wow,
I am totally in awe now. History is my reason for reason, and
seeing the anniversary date approaching in the near future, with
plenty of time to prepare, a wonderful celebration, is something to
really look forward to. Maybe we could get one of the local micro-
breweries to perfect a honey mead to keep things festive.
Bringing in a solid base of tourism, is an awesome goal, to
highlight the area also. Period dress and munitions, re-enacting
the battles (keeping the city burning to a minimum) is always a
successful draw. Honoring the people who sacrificed, and had
endured the struggles, to maintain their freedom from oppressive
rule, so that we could remain free to this day, is integral to our
growth as a nation. Never, should an attack on our soil, be taken
as forgettable, or inconsequential. We as Americans, have a duty
to the world at large, to bring to the forefront, our struggles with
the former empires, to expand on it's possibilities. At this time,
the 'world' is really watching us, how we have handled crisis, and
how we, as a people, endure. We are their hope, and for some, it
is all they have. It is'nt our leaders, embarrassments and failings,
it is us, as individuals, who cherish our freedoms enough to care
that it's 'growing pains' are remembered, and not taken lightly.
Buffalo's significance, in American history, should take it's place, as
one of the key areas where our freedoms were defended. Not
just the world's view, but all Americans, can take pride in the events
that shaped their country's beginnings, and re-capture some measure of distinction, that we also, have payed a high price
for all we have accomplished. 200 years, think of all the events that
have since transpired, and until/since the Alamo, Pearl Harbor, and 911, we have held our ground. These are events that have crippled and destroyed nations, yet we prosper. Speak's volumn's to the
'huddled masses' who yearn to emulate our shore's. I suppose
I am saying , this goes beyond our ability to just 'throw a party' but has far reaching capabilities. This event has the propensity to be
a milestone in public opinion. Many today are searching for the ability to have some degree, or capacity, of understanding, their
place as a nation, showcasing the past achievements is crucial.
This guarantees a successful remembrance.
It is'nt too early to set out some donation can's for the effort's
to bring this event to a culmination, it'll be spectacular. Can some-one please book "The Rolling Stones" to appear and schedule some
firework's. That would be incredible...
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Randy
Actually, I'm a guy. And I live in Washington, DC. But I get to Buffalo fairly often, and I care very much about history and in particular Buffalo's often neglected rich contributions to history. My worst nightmare is that we will have a single celebration with the mayor giving some comments, followed by fireworks, and everything thinks that we did a great job. Opportunities to grab the nation's attention (in a good way) are few and rarely come with such lead time. I wouldn't be happy until every single child in WNY is working on a 1812 project, and every adult is well versed in the history and telling everyone in the world to come see it live.
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