Memorial Day 2023

Sackets Harbor Battlefield State Historic Site

Historic Sackets Harbor observes Memorial Day on Monday May 29 starting at 8:00am with a
wreath laying by the Harold Townsend American Legion Post #1757 at the War of 1812
Centennial Monument in the Memorial Tree Grove, a tribute to War of 1812 participants.

Sackets Harbor’s unique 200 plus years military history is linked to the civilian population’s
legacy. Honor veterans Monday morning by attending ceremonies at the local cemeteries.

The War of 1812 shaped the future of Sackets Harbor. Today the community and state historic
site rank top in the list of United States War of 1812 locations.

In 2007, the U.S. National Parks Service’s American Battlefield Protection Program announced:

“Sackets Harbor Battleground is considered a Priority I Principal site which includes

battlegrounds that are most historically significant and most endangered. They require
immediate preservation action before they are destroyed or damaged.”

The report further stated that all levels of government and national organizations should focus
their immediate attention on War of 1812 threatened Class A and B sites. In short, the Sackets
Harbor battleground has been rated a top conservation priority of the federal American
Battlefield Protection Program.

After the 1813 battle, Brigadier General Jacob Brown directed burial of the British and Canadian
dead on the battleground. On the 200 th anniversary a monument to those men was dedicated
and subsequently recognized by the now former Queen of the United Kingdom, Elizabeth II.

This year, after Memorial Day ceremonies discover stories of soldiers, sailors, Marines, and
militia who served at Sackets Harbor during the War of 1812, and those in later military
conflicts, by visiting the historic site.

On Monday Memorial Day special living history presentations by staff and volunteers mark the
210th anniversary of the Second Battle of Sackets Harbor! The historic site buildings will be open
10am to 4:30pm for visitors.