Site Hours
Grounds
- Open
- 8am - Sunset
Facilities
- Facilities Closed
for the season.
Historical Notes
War of 1812
Make use of the Battlefield Historic Site for a picnic or ramble the battlegrounds.
Enjoy the grand view westward and linger at the end of the day to watch the sunset.
Sackets Harbor Battlefield Historic Site
The Battlefield Grounds
Follow the mile long history trail while reading about the War of 1812. Wind your way along the trail through the site's Memorial Tree Grove, along the cliff overlooking the bay and across the fields where the Battle of Sackets Harbor was hard fought.
Events mark the seasons at the historic site. Listen to a concert on Sunday afternoons throughout the summer. Watch the annual Fourth of July fireworks over the bay. Meet the living history presenters at the site's summer living history camp and guest re enactors during the annual War of 1812 weekend.
Whether it is spring, summer or autumn, enjoy the scores of flower gardens around the site. The heirloom vegetable garden is an annual favorite, while the herb gardens offer the tastes and smells of traditional nineteenth century herbs.
The Navy Yard
Part of the Navy Yard experience includes a visit to the Commandant's former stable where you learn about the Navy during the War of 1812 in the exhibit "On Board the Jefferson." Try lifting a cannonball, see how a pulley works, and lay down in a hammock to see how the sailors rested on board their ships. Try answering questions on one of the scavenger hunt sheets while walking through the exhibit.
Visit the site's nineteenth century Navy Yard buildings behind the white picket fence to learn about the history of this historical site while looking at the Lieutenant's House exhibits and power point show in the War of 1812 gallery. The Lieutenant's House orientation center and gift shop are open during the site's normal hour or for special events.
The Commandant's House
Tour the Commandant's House furnished to the 1860s era. This stately building in the Navy Yard offers a glimpse into the life of Commandant Tattnall and his family and their servants. Guided tours bring to life the daily activities of this home on Northern New York's border.
The Lieutenant's House and Gift Shop
Shop for unique gifts and publications in the Lieutenant's House gift shop. High quality reproductions of nineteenth century potters, glassware and china reflect the furnishings of the Commandant's House next door. Many of the books, pamphlets and music CDs about nineteenth century history can only be found locally at the Navy Yard shop.
Chat with the site's knowledgeable staff or volunteers at the Lieutenant's House reception center or in the summer season's living history camp. You may see staff and volunteers dressed in clothing reminiscent of War of 1812 soldiers or laundresses, or clothing of the 1860s workers and domestic staff of the Commandant's House. Staff may offer you the chance to try your hand at a nineteenth century craft or raise a wooden musket to your shoulder and march with the troops. Many of the reproduction toys, craft items and even wooden muskets, may be purchased in the gift shop.