On September 10, 1813, Oliver Hazard Perry and the American sailors from the Lake Erie squadron defeated the British at the Battle of Lake Erie. 100 years later, victory celebrations were held across the nation, from July 4th through October 5th, 1913. Most events were held in the Great Lakes region, in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Illinois, New York, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. However, some were held in other regions, such as Kentucky, Rhode Island, and Louisiana. Notably, in Erie, PA, where Niagara, Lawrence, and most of the Lake Erie squadron were built in 1812-1813, and the current homeport of the Brig Niagara, a series of centennial celebrations were held from July 6th through the 12th.

Included in this virtual exhibit are images of postcards from various collections contained at the Erie Maritime Museum. The objects come from the collections FN2011.10 and FN2017.4.1.

Centennial Postcard (front), FN 2011.10

Postcard from Perry’s Victory Centennial in Erie, PA. The image is a drawing of Oliver Hazard Perry’s original flagship, the Lawrence, as it sails through Lake Erie, with the American Flag flown high on the main mast. The bottom of the postcard shows a medal that was awarded to Oliver Hazard Perry after the Battle of Lake Erie. In the bottom left corner is an artistic rendering of the Battle of Lake Erie, showing cannon fire between American and British ships. The image on the bottom right is a silhouette of Oliver Hazard Perry.

One of the many postcards sold at the Centennial celebration in Erie, PA, this was meant to show the majesty of the American squadron, with a bird soaring through the skies alongside the Lawrence. This postcard inspired patriotic sentiments and pride in Erie and all the town and region did for the American war efforts.

This postcard was sold at Perry’s Victory Centennial in Erie, PA. The front of the postcard, seen above, has portraits of both O. H. Perry (top left), squadron commander, and Jesse Elliott (top right), the original captain of Niagara before he was relieved by Perry after Lawrence was crippled. In the bottom left is an image of the Niagara sailing on Lake Erie under full sail. The image on the bottom right is of the Niagara when she was pulled up from Misery Bay, where she was scuttled in 1818. In the center of the postcard is a piece of wood from the hull of the original Niagara that was removed when she was raised from Misery Bay, Presque Isle in Erie, PA in April 1913.

The back of the postcard pictured above, this image shows the Official Seal of the Perry Centennial Celebration in Erie, PA. The seal shows Oliver Hazard Perry and the Niagara, as well as the date of the peace treaty that ended the War of 1812: Ghent, December 24, 1814. At the bottom of the image is a verification that the piece of wood stapled to the front of the postcard is genuine and original to Niagara.

Both images are meant to serve the purpose of sharing the history of Perry’s victory at the Battle of Lake Erie with the public and celebrating Erie’s history and impact on world events. The addition of the piece of Niagara created a way for everybody to share in American pride.

This postcard centers on Oliver Hazard Perry’s transfer from Lawrence to Niagara with his signature “DON’T GIVE UP THE SHIP” flag. The image in the center shows Perry’s small boat being rowed by a number of sailors as they move him to the Niagara with the artist’s rendering of his slogan on an American flag. The poem below the image commemorates the moment in a somber tone as the author remembers the fallen sailors and soldiers:

            A chastened rapture Perry, fills thy breast,

            Thy sacred tear embalms the heroes slain.

            The gem of Pity shines in Glory’s crest,

            More brilliant than the diamond wreath of FAME.

In the background of the image, the artist shows cannon fire on a ship in the Battle of Lake Erie. Most sea battles were fought with the intention to capture the enemy ships and sell them for a piece of the prize money.

This postcard shows a painting of a wagon from DuPont Powder Company transporting black powder to Erie, PA from Brandywine Mills near Wilmington, DE, supposedly for use in the Battle of Lake Erie. In 1913, to celebrate the centennial of America’s victory on Lake Erie using their powder, DuPont sent a reproduction of the wagon train over the same route to Niagara after she was pulled from the water.

However, DuPont never actually sent powder to Perry’s squadron for use in the Battle of Lake Erie! The painting on this postcard was originally created in 1912. Scholars believe this painting was the basis for the reenactment wagon traveling to Erie for the centennial celebration. The drive for the celebration was one of great excitement and fanfare, bringing together people from across the state and region, marking it as a valuable and fascinating event, even if the basis for it happening never occurred.

A photographic postcard after Perry’s Victory Centennial showing the DuPont wagon, led by 6 horses, carrying black powder down Parade Street in Erie for the newly recovered Niagara to use in 1913 for salutes during the events. As mentioned above, DuPont did not sell or transport black powder to the Lake Erie squadron in 1813, though this event in 1913 was one of great renown and celebration.

The Conestoga wagon was leased in Lancaster, PA, and began the drive from Wilmington, DE on June 2nd, 1913. Taking primarily roads that would have been available in one way or another in 1813, the DuPont wagon made its way all the way up to Erie, finally arriving for a parade down Parade Street at 4:00 on July 7th. Along the way, the waggoneers encountered military personnel, and the adoring public, and even were held up at musket point by women wearing men’s clothes to reenact a bandit attack!

The wagon used for the centennial celebration, as well as the banners hung on it, are still visible today at PHMC site Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum.