Bicentennial Peace Garden

Bicentennial Peace Garden. The War of 18 12. , War Arrives at the Genesee October 1, 1812 , The Port of the Genesee was established in 1805 by President Thomas Jefferson. Samuel Latta was appointed its first collector. Many Charlotte settlers were merchants who engaged in trade along the western frontier and with their Canadian neighbors. Rochesterville lay seven miles to the south and was not yet a village. After the war was declared in June of 18 12, both American and Britain realized that control of Lake Ontario and Lake Erie would be critical to victory for either side. , Initially, neither he Americans nor the British had a naval presence on Lake Ontario, thus both began to build their fleets. Two schooners that had plied the Genesee trade were bought and equipped at the mouth of the Genesee by the American "Commodore" Chauncey, but neither was here in October, 1812 when the men from the Royal George came into the harbor and commandeered a schooner, the 60-ton Lady Murray owned by Capt. William McKinstry of Penfield and with a revenue cutter, along with a sup- ply of whiskey. The schooner, lacking rigging, was returned the next day. , 1812 ended with little effect on the region, although repetition of an unofficial story of cannon fire on the beach reflects the anxieties that all residents must have felt. Little did they know that the real challenge to their future lay in the growing awareness of the port's vulnerability. , Modeled on the International Peace Garden concept that originated in Canada in 1990, a permanent trail of Peace Gardens have been established along the historic route where events of the War determined the future of Canada, the United States, and the fate of many First Nations and Native American people. The garden route covers over 600 miles including USA and Canada. This is a cooperative initiative undertaken by the International Peace Garden Foundation, 1812 Legacy Council, and its' many devoted volunteers. , The Bicentennial Peace Garden Trail is designed to attract international visitors as well as residents of this historic region to experience and enjoy the natural beauty that these gardens provide while commemorating the peace that has existed between Canada and the United States over the past 200 years. , Visit 1812.ipgf.org to obtain complete details on additional sites, history, locations, and special events. , This garden was made possible in part from the generosity of the Walmart Foundation, Monroe County, City of Rochester and The Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse Historical Society. Researched and text provided by Jim Fischer and Carolyn Vacca, Monroe County Historian. Project coordinated by Fred Amato. , About the War of 18 12 , - The United States declared war on Great Britain June 18, 1812. This was the first time in history that the United States declared war on another nation. , - The War of 18 12 was an armed conflict between United States and Great Britain from 1812 - 1814. Contrary to popular belief, it was not a conflict between the U.S. and Canada. , - The causes of the war were trade tensions, impressments, British support for Indian raids and U.S. territory expansion. , - In August of 1814 the British captured and burned Washington, DC. , - The Star Spangled Banner was written in 1814 by Francis Scott Key after witnessing the bombardment of Ft. McHenry by British naval ships. It became the United States' national anthem in 1931. , - Following five months of negotiations, the war was ended by the signing of the Treaty of Ghent in late 1814. , - Word of the signed treaty did not reach the US until weeks later. The Battle of New Orleans, one of the war's bloodiest battles, actually took place after the treaty was signed. , - This war ultimately lead to independence for both the U.S. and Canada.