MEMORIAL AT PERRY’S VICTORY TO OPEN JULY 3 AFTER 2 YEARS OF RESTORATION

Date: June 26, 2012
Contact: Blanca Alvarez Stransky, 419-285-2184

Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial on South Bass Island will officially open for visitation after being closed for almost three years on Tuesday, July 3, 2012.Hours of operation will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.The fee to ride the elevator will remain at $3 per person. Children 15 years of age and under are still admitted free with adult supervision, said Superintendent Blanca Alvarez Stransky.

The Memorial was closed due to restoration and due to an on-going investigation of the structural damage first discovered when a 500-pound piece of granite fell from the observation deck in June of 2006, added Stransky.

"Originally, we anticipated opening in mid-July but thanks to the outstanding teamwork and workmanship by both Cleveland Marble and WJE from Northbrook, Illinois, the repairs were completed nearly 30 days ahead of schedule.My staff and I are extremely pleased that we are opening this national treasure to the public after a lengthy closure," said Stransky.

Even though the Memorial will open for visitation, the upper plaza will still be under restoration.According to Stransky, the walking surface around the Memorial is uneven and is in need of repairs. Those repairs are schedule to start in August.

In addition to commemorating Commodore Perry's victory against the British in the Battle of Lake Erie in 1813, the Memorial also commemorates the long lasting peace between three nations (Canada, Great Britain and the United States.)It is also the only international peace memorial in the national park system.

Touring the Memorial is just one of the many activities visitors can enjoy when they visit Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial in July.The National Park Service, along with our National Park Service partners, The Perry Group, Put-in-Bay Arts Council, and Eastern National are sponsoring a series of concerts and special events this summer.These free programs include The Freedom Concert on July 1 by the Central Ohio Symphony and the Twilight Music Series every Thursday, starting on July 5.In celebration of the 4^th of July, the Memorial will host a July 4^th Naturalization Ceremony and ice cream social. The Memorial also sponsors a Kids Christmas in July Art Program on July 27 and World Ranger Day on July 28.

"Thanks to our partners we offer a host of family activities all summer long that are fun, free, and educational.In fact, in August we are hosting a "Commodore Perry Look- A-Like Contest," said Stransky.

Further details about the concert series or other National Park Service programs and activities please call Perry's Victory International Peace Memorial at [phone], or visit www.nps.gov/pevi and Facebook.