PERRYSBURG – Memorial Day means picnics and parades, but at Fort Meigs Historic Site, it means more. And this holiday weekend even more still, because for the first time in more than 20 years, the largest wooden-walled fort in North America will host the international War of 1812 re-enacting community.
Called the Grand Tactical, the event is in conjunction with the fort’s annual First Siege re-enactment, May 23-24. First Siege pays homage to when the fort in 1813 was under siege by British invaders and their Native American allies. That the fledgling American army withstood that onslaught, and one a couple months later, was a turning point in that little-known war that cemented the nation’s status as a player on the world stage.
What it means to have the Grand Tactical as a component is that there’ll be a lot more re-enactors dressed in period-correct wool uniforms and civilian clothing, firing muskets and cannons and cooking meals from the era, and freely talking about what happened at the site long ago with a lot more visitors than usual.
“I’d love to see 4,000 visitors for the weekend. More would be awesome,” said Ashley Phlipot Brock, the site’s executive director. “Usually for First Siege we get 3,000; if we can up that to 4,000, that would be amazing.”
“The Grand Tactical is the largest living-history event for the commemoration of the war held in North America,” explained John Thompson, Fort Meigs’ manager of historic programming and head of interpretation. “The hosting site moves around each year and alternates between a Canadian site and a U.S. battlefield. Fort Meigs was selected for 2026 because we are celebrating not only America 250, but Fort Meigs itself is celebrating its 50-year anniversary as a living history establishment.
“Re-enactors from all over North America will be joining us for two days of demonstrations, camping, and educational programming.”
Thompson said between 300 and 400 re-enactors – portraying soldiers from specific regiments and militias of the period, merchants, and men and women civilians – are expected to set up camps and tents on the 10 acres inside the stockade.
“There were artisans and women who helped support the army,” Brock said. “This is not just a story of soldiers, but of humanity and people who all were involved in the conflict.”
With the larger-than-usual turnout of re-enactors and visitors, Brock said this will be an opportunity for more activities and items for the public to see.
The activities are many: morning parade, battalion drill, artillery demonstration, musket competitions, blacksmithing, history lectures, mini-militia children’s activity, court-martial proceedings, artillery workshops, 19th century fashion shows, camp displays, field music concerts, historic baking and cooking, medical displays on Sunday, historical and modern shopping, demonstration of the gun gin, and changing of the guard.
There also will be a main battle on Saturday and Sunday afternoons to demonstrate the tactics of the era, with the commanders to be available to talk with visitors afterward. There also will be smaller skirmishes each day. The fort will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.
Thompson said having the Grand Tactical at Fort Meigs is a wonderful way to have a local centerpiece for America 250 celebrations.
“For America 250 nationally, it’s been decided we don’t have to focus on 1776, but focus on our entire history. The War of 1812 is very much a story of the Great Lakes, and is a chance to feature it as a chapter in our 250-year history. In Toledo and northwest Ohio, this is a signature event that can be used as a reminder that this is a significant year.”
He added that being chosen to host the Grand Tactical “is a great nod that Fort Meigs is celebrating its 50th year as a tour-able historical site and that the local 1812 community is doing a good job.”
The local 1812 community is largely represented by the Old Northwest Military History Association, a group of about 60 volunteers who work with the fort’s staff to produce events and to promote the fort at away re-enactments.
Marking their 31st year as re-enactors are Marty and Tamia Land, the group’s president and treasurer, respectively. “Everybody in our community strives for an accurate representation of life in early America, when we’re still trying to figure how to run this country,” Marty said.
Tamia said the volunteers do a good job interpreting the time period. “It’s a passion that we like to share.”
The Lands, who said they helped plan the first-ever Grand Tactical, which was at Fort Meigs in 2004, realize the importance of the event to the fort. “People from other parts of the country who are interested in history will come to Fort Meigs because of the Grand Tactical. They would probably never come otherwise,” Marty said.
Thompson said Memorial Day at the fort is a separate event, yet also a larger than usual presentation.
“This is part of a widespread effort to call more attention to the fact that Fort Meigs is a cemetery,” he said, noting that war dead are buried outside the stockade. “We want to initiate a new era of respect and proper treatment of the property. The Memorial Day services here are designed to do that.”
For the upcoming holiday weekend, Brock looks forward to sharing the history of the site with visitors. “That’s always my favorite thing,” she said. “To share why the fort is important in the war. That’s super exciting.”
She added, “Another favorite is that we are good friends with many of these re-enactors, and it’s good fun to get together. We fight each other on the battlefield, but we’re friends around the campfire afterward.”
For Thompson, “I hope all of the sentiment that America 250 creates with history in this site, knowledge of the cemetery, or this event, does not die in 2027. I hope that people have a renewed enthusiasm that lasts long-term to celebrate Fort Meigs and northwest Ohio history.”
