Sackets Harbor Battlefield History Trail

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Historic Site entrance on Main Street. Photo by Constance Barone

2020 NRT Photo Contest Winner - Historic Interpretation. Photo by Constance Barone.

"We're Going on a Bear Hunt." Visitors search for the elusive bear on National Trails Day 2018. Photo by Constance Barone.

"We're Going on a Bear Hunt." Visitors search for the elusive bear on National Trails Day 2018. Photo by Constance Barone.

Local resident Jan, followed the trail to learn about his chosen soldier Philip Reade. Photo by Constance Barone.

National Trails Day 2017. One of the ten discovery stations along the trail. Photo by Constance Barone.

National Trails Day 2017 Scott and Terri from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada walked the trail to learn about their two chosen soldiers. Photo by Constance Barone.

National Trails Day 2017, site interpreters and environmental stewards sharing stories about the War of 1812 soldiers. Photo by Constance Barone.

Photo by Constance Barone.

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In 2001, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation authorized the construction of the Sackets Harbor Battlefield State Historic Site's History Trail. Historical research and archeology investigation played a major role in establishing the trail. The historic grounds are recognized by the National Park Service as one of the top War of 1812 sites in the nation. This designation is based on the importance of the military engagement that took place in 1813 as well as today's potential threat to a built environment. As such, the site's history trail provides visitors not only recreational use on-site but a learning venue as well, to help educate toward deflecting potential adverse alteration of the significant grounds.

Ten interpretive panels on the less-than-a-mile loop trail aid in telling the site's story and pivotal role in the War of 1812, in addition to subsequent historical aspects of the site. The trail unifies the core of this 70-acre property. The level, wheelchair-accessible history trail offers views of the 1860s Navy Yard structures, the 1913 War of 1812 Centennial 100-maple tree grove, the 1930s CCC decorative stone wall on the cliff, expansive mowed lawns, thickets housing abundant birdlife, and unsurpassed sweeping views of Black River Bay on the eastern end of Lake Ontario. In season, amenities near the trail include public restrooms, a picnic pavilion, and the site's interpretive programs indoors and outdoors, such as tours of Navy Yard structures, a War of 1812 archeology exhibit, living history demonstrations, and informative videos.

On the trail visitors jog, bicycle, push strollers, or follow the trail by wheelchair. Just off the trail guests practice yoga, rest on benches, watch living history demonstrations, stop for a picnic, fly a kite, or bird watch. The non-motorized trail is open year-round, free of charge. Site staff maintains the stone dust surface and reproduction of mid-19th c. wooden boardwalks. Now the site's history trail connects to the Village of Sackets Harbor's new War of 1812 Bicentennial recreation trail. That trail consists of stone dust paths, abandoned rail line, village roadways, and sidewalks, constituting a 6-mile loop in the historic village including the former Army post-Madison Barracks, passing by the Military Cemetery and Village's Lakeside Cemetery, and traversing broad open farm fields where the 1813 Battle of Sackets Harbor unfolded.

During the War of 1812 Bicentennial two granite monuments were dedicated on state property in those fields along that trail, a Crown Forces monument and an American monument. In 2010, the historic site hosted the North American War of 1812 Grant Tactical Living History weekend with over 400 re-enactors on the grounds encompassing the site's history trail. This year, the site's battlegrounds were featured in a WCNY-PBS-TV documentary"Losing Ground: The Race to Preserve War of 1812 Battlefields in New York State, funded by the National Park Service Battlefield Protection Program.

Reviews

Janie Walker

Oct 12, 2023

Nice walk through the history of Sackets Harbor Battlefield

Visited October 7, 2023. This National Recreation Trail circles the battlefield, and I made it to the site just before the buildings closed for the season (the trail itself and grounds are open year-round). The NRT is paved and easy, made for the tourist to learn about and better appreciate the area. Information signs abound. The buildings contain artifacts from the war and information about archeological efforts. Restored officer houses can be toured for a price. Though the skies opened while I was there and doused me with cold rain, I enjoyed my meanderings. Lots to take in and appreciate.

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Allowed Uses:

Other Activities

• Heritage and history
• Snow, snow play general
• Wildlife viewing / observation

• Certified as an NRT
  Jun 3, 2015