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New
York State Parks Protects
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War
of 1812 Battlefield Site
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Acquisition
of 24 Acres of Horse Island Expands
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Protection
of Sackets Harbor Battlefield
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Albany,
NY – February 2019 / Newsmaker Alert / The
New
York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State
Parks) announces it has acquired a historically significant site of a War
of 1812 battle between British and American forces. The 24-acre property
on Horse Island will become part of Sackets
Harbor Battlefield State Historic Site in Jefferson County.
“The
site is crucial to telling the full story of the Battle of Sackets Harbor,”
Acting State Parks Commissioner Erik Kulleseid said. “Acquiring the island
will forever protect the viewshed of the existing historic site from development,
bolster Governor Cuomo's efforts to enhance heritage tourism, and offer
new public recreational access to Horse Island. I'm grateful to the American
Battlefield Trust and Thousand Island Regional Park Commissioner Chair
Harold Johnson for helping to make the acquisition a reality.”
The
property encompasses nearly the entire area of Horse Island, an island
off the shore from Sacket's Harbor. Following the outbreak of war between
the United States and Great Britain in June 1812, Sackets Harbor became
the center of American naval and military activity for the upper St. Lawrence
Valley and Lake Ontario. In an attempt to destroy its shipyard, a British-Canadian
force launched an attack on May 29, 1813. The attack began with an early-morning
amphibious assault against American forces at Horse Island. Americans encamped
on the island initially prevented the British from landing, but later were
forced to retreat across a causeway to the mainland. The Americans eventually
drove off the invasion in a narrow but costly victory.
The
property also includes a lighthouse built during the 1870s that had been
used as a summer residence for the island's previous owners. State Parks
is evaluating potential uses for the lighthouse as well as other steps
to provide public access.
New
York State Parks partnered with the American Battlefield Trust to purchase
the property. The American Battlefield Trust procured a $683,798 federal
grant from the American Battlefield Protection Program, and State Parks
provided $135,684 through the Environmental Protection Fund.
“Preserving
Horse Island is a critical step in ensuring that the significance of the
Battle of Sackets Harbor is both better appreciated and better understood
by Americans, today and in the future,” said James Lighthizer, President
of the American Battlefield Trust. “We are eager to build upon this effort
as we continue to partner with the state of New York to honor those early
citizen soldiers who fought to defend our infant nation.”
“The
acquisition of Horse Island and the associated mainland tract is tremendously
important for not only the Thousand Islands State park region but the entire
New York State Parks system,” State Parks Thousand Island Regional Park
Commission Chair Harold B. Johnson said. “This addition to the Sackets
Harbor Battlefield Historic Site helps us complete the story of the war
of 1812 attack by the British. I look forward to seeing the plans unfold
as we move forward in the process.”
“Horse
Island represents a unique and critical chapter in the history of the War
of 1812, Sackets Harbor and the North Country,” State Senator Patty Ritchie
said. “I am hopeful this new addition to the Sackets Harbor Battlefield
State Historic Site will not only introduce more people to the sacrifices
so many made to help our nation become what it is today, but also help
draw more visitors to our region to enjoy our state park system and in
turn, boost the local economy.”
“The
North Country is home to so many scenic gems that are scattered across
this beautiful region, many of which have a story to tell,” Assemblyman
Mark Walczyk said. “I'm thrilled to see the Department of Parks, Recreation
and Historic Perseveration take this initiative to preserve this piece
of property along Horse Island. This will not only help protect this beautiful
landscape, but will also allow our region's rich history to be told for
generations to come.”
Sackets
Harbor Battlefield State Historic Site attracts approximately 80,000
visitors a year, who enjoy indoor and outdoor historic interpretation,
guided and self-guided tours, a restored 1850's Navy Yard and Commandant's
House and outstanding views of Lake Ontario. During the summer months,
guides dressed in military clothing of 1813 reenact the camp life of the
common soldier.
The
additional park acreage underscores Governor Cuomo's commitment to improving
and expanding access to outdoor recreation and heritage tourism. The Governor's
NY Parks 2020 (PDF file) initiative is a multi-year commitment to invest
approximately $900 million in public and private funds in State Parks through
2020. Since 2011, State Parks has acquired more than 16,000 acres to improve
access and provide buffers to state parks, trails and historic sites.
The
New York State Office of Parks, Recreation
and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 individual state parks,
historic sites, golf courses, boat launches and recreational trails, which
are visited by 71 million people annually. For more information on any
of these recreation areas, call 518-474-0456 or visit visit
Parks.NY.gov,
connect with us on Facebook,
or follow on Instagram
and
Twitter.
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Source
Document
Media
Contacts:
New
York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
Randy
Simons | Dan Keefe
518-486-1868 |