Ahoy Landlubbers!

This is the essential tour of Erie Maritime Museum and, when available, the U.S. Brig Niagara. Students learn the origins of the often forgotten War of 1812, how cannons were fired and see first-hand the devastating effects of 1812-era ordinance upon wooden ships. They can feel the weight of the cannon balls and try their hand at a few sailor’s knots.

Time: 1 ½ to 2 hours (1 hr museum only)

Home Portable Erie

Through this exciting, hands-on learning opportunity sponsored by the Flagship Niagara League and Erie Maritime Museum, students may enter the life of an 1813 veteran of the Battle of Lake Erie by reading his journal and rummaging the contents of his sea bag. Through a sailor or soldier's vivid description and reproduction artifacts they can handle, students can learn of the 1813 ship-building effort and life aboard Niagara. The journals** are based on real biographies of crew who served in the 1813 Lake Erie Fleet.

*Small donation to Flagship Niagara League is requested; reserve in advance.

**Three versions of Home Portable Erie will be available - two for distribution to classrooms and one based in the museum that will include additional items, including 1813 reproduction clothing the students may try on.

Bibliographies and Recommended Readings

Talks and Presentations

Talks in the classroom or for your organization or business discussing the following topics:

• The Story of the U.S. Brig Niagara (with slides)

• Overview of Erie's Maritime Heritage (slides)

• Life as a sailor in 1813: First person interpretation in period dress

• Naval medicine in the War of 1812

Video Presentations

She Sails: a videotape that is available upon request for use in the classroom. She Sails sketches the history of the Battle of Lake Erie and then chronicles the Niagara’s three reconstructions and current sailing and educational program. Features excellent footage of the ship under sail. 

1812-The Forgotten War: Includes exciting, action reenactments and dramatic, informative interviews with over 50 expert reenactors at 1812 battles and forts.

Sail 2000: Produced by the History Channel. Follows the U.S. Coast Guard's vessel Eagle participating in OpSail 2000.

Making of the Live Fire Exhibit: This 16-minute video features a re-enactment of battle conditions during the Battle of Lake Erie, including the firing of cannons on a replica midship She Sails: a videotape that is available upon request for use in the classroom. She Sails sketches the history of the Battle of Lake Erie and then chronicles the Niagara’s three reconstructions and current sailing and educational program. Features excellent footage of the ship under sail. 

1812-The Forgotten War: Includes exciting, action reenactments and dramatic, informative interviews with over 50 expert reenactors at 1812 battles and forts.

Sail 2000: Produced by the History Channel. Follows the U.S. Coast Guard's vessel Eagle participating in OpSail 2000.

Making of the Live Fire Exhibit: This 16-minute video features a re-enactment of battle conditions during the Battle of Lake Erie, including the firing of cannons on a replica midship section of the reconstructed U.S. Brig Lawrence.  The video also features period paintings and re-enactment scenes to interpret this important aspect of our coastal and national history.

Experiential Education for Young Adults

• JUNIOR DOCENT—  With a little training, young people aged  14 and over can join the volunteer interpretive staff of Niagara and the Museum. They can learn the ways of first-person costumed interpretation. Interpreters interact with museum staff, acquire excellent job experience, and become "insiders" at our exciting bay front institution.
• SAILING CREW—At age 16, students can join the volunteer sailing crew of one of the world’s great tall ships. To help sail Niagara through wind and wave is to engage in one of the oldest trades in human history. Through this program, young people can still experience the ancient wooden world of sail.   For more information, contact the Volunteer Crew Coordinator, at (814) 452-2744, ext. 201 or email volunteer@brigniagara.org.

Copyright © 2007 US Brig Niagara and Erie Maritime Museum
Last modified: 12/07/07