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Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial reopens following repairs

The monument on Put-in-Bay underwent a $2.4 million repair project on the exterior of the tower.

PUT-IN-BAY - After being closed for repairs all last season, the Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial’s observation deck, among the tallest in the country, will be hosting its first public visitors in over a year on Saturday.

The memorial, part of the National Park Service, typically draws between 150,000 and 200,000 visitors a year. But last year, the monument itself was closed as it underwent a $2.4 million repair project on the exterior of the tower.

After being closed for $2.4 million in repairs throughout 2017, the Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial at Put-in-Bay reopens to the public on Saturday. (Photo: Jon Stinchcomb/News Herald)

Every single mortar joint of the 352-foot monument was repointed in the extensive repair project.

The timing of the project was particularly important, according to superintendent Barbara Fearon, after testing and analysis found the monument’s existing silicon mortar was trapping water in the column and creating moisture that was never intended to be there.

She said they also made general improvements to the grounds by making them more accessible and user-friendly.

“We’re really glad to get that work completed and get the memorial back open,” Fearon said. “We’ve got a lot going on this year.”

Standing atop Perry's Victory in 2016, Mikah Meyer gazes out into Lake Erie, where the Battle of Lake Erie took place over 200 years ago. (Photo: Fremont News Messenger)

Beginning Saturday, from May to September, the memorial, including the visitor center and observation deck, is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

On Monday, May 28, there will be a Memorial Day celebration on the memorial grounds at 11 a.m.

Then on Saturday, June 9, the Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial will be hosting the 2018 Put-in-Bay Music Festival.

“It’s an all-day, family-friendly event,” Fearon said. “The music festival is really an effort of our mission to share the lessons of international peace and what is possible when nations once at war collaborate and cooperate.”

She said the festival will feature many games, such as a Guitar Hero contest, music workshops with ukulele and drumming lessons, food and beverages, and live bands throughout the day.

Among the bands performing are Swingmania, School of Rock, Reese Dailey Band, Hillbilly Casino, Groovement and Lowdown Brass Band.

On Wednesday, June 13, the memorial will be offering a rare “Sunset Tour,” where participants get the chance to visit the observation deck in the evening starting at 7:30 p.m. The cost for this event is $20 for adults and $10 for children.

Then on Saturday, June 16, the memorial is hosting its Youth Maritime Explorers Camp, a free event where kids can learn about how science and environment impacted maritime history. The program will also include visits to the U.S. Brig Niagara, a replica of Oliver Hazard Perry's flagship in the War of 1812, which will be in port at the time.

“It’s another full day of family fun here on the grounds where we focus on maritime history, history of the memorial and environmental sciences,” Fearon said.

With this year also marking 100 years since the end of World War I, Fearon said they are working on implementing that into their Historic Weekend celebration on September 7 to 9, which will primarily focus on the 205th Commemoration of the Battle of Lake Erie.

Later in the season for both the visitor center and observation deck, from Sept. 10-30, the daily hours move to 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and from Oct. 1-22, the days of operation move to Friday through Monday. The last ascent to the observation deck each day is 30 minutes prior to closing.

In celebration of the memorial’s 103rd year in operation, the first 103 visitors to the observation deck on Saturday will get to check out its magnificent view over Lake Erie and the islands for free through a sponsorship by Huntington National Bank.

After being closed for repairs last season, the Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial’s observation deck, among the tallest in the country, will be hosting its first public visitors in over a year Saturday. (Photo: Fremont News Messenger)

Both the Jet Express and Miller Boat Line ferries to Put-in-Bay were not running on Friday due to strong northeast winds and high water levels. However, both expect to be running on Saturday.

For the updated ferry schedules, call toll-free at 1-800-245-1538 for the Jet Express, or 800-500-2421 for the Miller Boat Line.

The Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial can be reached at 419-285-2184.

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