The rebuilt seawall at Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial/NPS

Two years of work have added 40 years of life to the seawall that buffers Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial in Ohio from the pounding waters of Lake Erie.

Construction work begin back in April 2022 and concluded this past July. This project was funded through the National Park Service’s Line-Item Construction program, which addresses the repair or replacement of high priority facilities in national parks. Increases in lake level and storm events over the last 50 years have caused deterioration resulting in pieces falling off the wall, flooding, and sink holes forming on the grounds. Most of the park’s seawall was built during the 1970s, and it received some work in the early 2000s.

The work of this project included the rehabilitation and replacement of the North and South Seawall, approximately 1,900 feet and 1,500 feet long, upgraded the stormwater system, and associated site restoration work. The restoration work included relocation of water, electric, and communications utilities. Work completed on the seawalls included the demolition and replacement of the North Seawall center section, removal of the top section, and raised the elevation of all other wall sections, repaired existing structures, and extended the South Seawall west section along Delaware Avenue.

The sidewalk along the South Seawall was replaced and a new sidewalk was added alongside the North Seawall. Work accomplished to the stormwater system included adding a packaged pump system, installation of additional catch basins, pipes and flap gates to the outlets on the seawall and the site was regraded to facilitate water flow to the drainage utilities.

This project has extended the seawall’s life cycle another 40 years, according to a park release. An additional aspect of the project added new seating areas to the north and south seawall.

“The crown jewel of all of this new visitor experience is the new interpretative plaza along the north seawall directly across from memorial," said acting Superintendent Rob Whitman.

This interpretative plaza has the full-size etchings of the two flagships in the battle, the US Brig Lawrence for the US Navy and the HMS Detroit for the Royal Navy. Along with the etchings are two wayside exhibits to share the story of the Battle of Lake. Each wayside contains a tactile element so visitors can see and feel what a War of 1812 warship looked like with its rigging and sails.