REVISED: River Raisin Battlefield to host events marking 202nd anniversary of famous War of 1812 conflict as 2015 marks close of Bicentennial of the War of 1812

War of 1812 Bicentennial

Please note the “1812” release distributed this morning contains an error and a time change.
The date for the “Grand Pacification” Dinner program is Saturday, March 28 (not 18).

The time of Brian Dunnigan’s presentation at the River Raisin National Battlefield Park on Saturday, January 17, 2015, has been changed from 12:30 to 1:00 p.m.

Corrections have been made in the copy below.

For Immediate Release
January 8, 2015

For more information, contact
Jim McConnell, Secretary
Michigan War of 1812 Commission
17761 Bell Creek Lane
Livonia MI 48152
734-525-2962

River Raisin Battlefield to host events marking 202nd anniversary of famous War of 1812 conflict as 2015 marks close of Bicentennial of the War of 1812

After more than two years of activities marking the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812, the Michigan Commission on the Commemoration of the Bicentennial of the War of 1812 is focusing their attentions on the final key events from two hundred years ago. Among the activities remaining on their calendar is the 202nd Anniversary Commemoration of the Battles of the River Raisin on Saturday, January 17, 2015. In addition, after the United States approval of the Treaty of Ghent on February 16, 1815, there are two key programs planned.

“We will celebrate the event of March 1815, when Detroiters learned that the war had ended” said Phil Porter, Chair of Michigan’s War of 1812 Commission. Porter is the Director of Mackinac State historic Parks. We are working with Bob Bury, Executive Director of the Detroit Historical Society, to hold a special dinner and program at the Detroit Historical Museum on Saturday, March 28, 2015. Then, on July 18, we will host a ceremony at Fort Mackinac marking the 200th anniversary of the return of Mackinac Island to American control.” Information on both events can be obtained by contacting Jim McConnell, commission secretary, at jam1776@sbcglobal.net

Along with the two 1815 events, the 1812 Commission encourages the public to attend the 202nd Anniversary Commemoration of the Battles of the River Raisin which took place on January 18 and January 22, 1813. The A full day of events is planned for Saturday, January 17, 2015, that you won't want to miss it!

The day’s schedule includes:

9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Battlefield Visitor Center will be open.

10:30 am The troops will assemble at the Monroe Multi-Sports Complex, 333 N. Dixie Hwy. Monroe, MI 48162

11:00 A.M., 1812 Tactical Demonstration including weapons used during the Battles on the Battlefield adjacent to the Monroe Multi-Sports Complex located at 333 N. Dixie Highway in Monroe, Michigan

12:00 pm Commemoration Ceremonies at the River Raisin National Park Visitor Center, 1403 E. Elm Ave., Monroe, MI. 48162. An Open House with, plenty of hot drinks to warm everyone up, will commence at the Battlefield Visitor Center immediately following the commemorative program.

1:00 P.M. Join Dr. Brian Leigh Dunnigan for an outstanding program at the Battlefield Visitor Center on “Agriculture in Early Detroit, 1701-1820.” Mr. Dunnigan has been curator of maps of the William L. Clements Library since November 1996, and has also been the library's associate director since 2010. A Michigan native, Brian has written numerous books and articles on the history of the early Great Lakes, Straits of Mackinac and the Niagara River region.

2:30 pm Presentation by Sandy Antal at the Monroe County Historical Museum, 126 S. Monroe St., Monroe, MI. 48161. Sandy Antal BA, B Ed, MA CD has served twenty years in the Canadian Forces. Sandy is author of the award-winning book - "A Wampum Denied Procter's War of 1812" - the first comprehensive account of Anglo-Native operations on the Western Theatre and other works.

For more information on the River raisin National Battlefield Park, visit http://www.nps.gov/rira/index.htm

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