Battlefield Interpretive Center
The Allan S. Everest Interpretive Center is a permanent exhibit located within our War of 1812 Museum. The exhibits chronologically recount the events of the battles at Plattsburgh within the context of the War of 1812: the political and economic causes of the land and naval engagements at Plattsburgh, and the significant role that the battles here played in the final peace negotiations and the ending of the war.
Interactive Battlefield Diorama
The exhibits are "anchored" by the 5' x 15' diorama presenting an aerial view interactive scale model of the 30,000-acre battlefield. Our visitors can experience the narrated and visually highlighted movements of the forces throughout the Village of Plattsburgh, the surrounding countryside, and on the waters of Cumberland Bay.
Throughout the center there are scale models of some of the American vessels that fought in the naval battle; a copy of the final "secret" war-ending orders issued by Britain's Secretary of War directing the attack and capture of Plattsburgh; and displays depictng the battles, prominent leaders, soldiers, sailors, and citizens.
A special portion of the exhibit : "Fate of the British Fleet", relates the recovery of the captured British Fleet, the transfer to Whitehall, NY, the ultimate demise of the vessels, and the never-before revealed details of an American Spy who attempted to conspire with the British in an attempt to re-capture or destroy the vessels. The research and presentation of the story was made possible through a generous private grant from the Adirondack Foundation.
Veteran Exempts'
When the war began, local veterans of the Revolutionary War volunteered for the defense of Plattsburgh area. The Militia Law of the day allowed for them to petition the local military
commander for recognition as a fighting company after they elected their officers. The volunteers brought their own weapons and were provided ammunition and rations. The flag is a replica of their standard as they described it in the local newspaper, The Plattsburgh Veteran Exempts and the Chesterfield Silver Grays augmented the regular U.S. forces in the battles at Plattsburgh.
Pike's Cantonment Archaeology
Pike's Cabin: A winter quarters in the woods.
In 1812, Zebulon Pike (of Pike's Peak fame), was sent to Plattsburgh to winter three regiments of troops, keeping them alive in the sub-zero forest southwest of the village. The location of the encampment, lost for years, marked the movement of the British land force on Septemer 11, 1814. We found and documented the location, now a National Register archaeological site, and have excavated one of the cabins. For our exhibit, we have constructed a cabin in our museum and with artifacts from the site, take our visitors through an archaeological excavation and site interpretation.
More of our Exhibits
