With the bicentennial of the declaration of war by the Americans on British North America in 1812 rapidly approaching, the Cornwall Community Museum in the Wood House, has prepared a small exhibit of original artifacts.
The exhibit highlights a bronze and wood Indian Peace Pipe found at St. Raphael's; a naval cutlass owned by Lt. Donald McMartin of the 2nd Regiment Glengarry Militia, a unit that saw action at the Battle of Hoople's Creek; a cannon ball found in a backyard on Aberdeen Street, likely buried during the American occupation of Cornwall; a belt plate of the 89th Royal Irish Regiment of Foot, a formation that along with the 49th regiment bore the brunt of the fighting at the Battle of Crysler's Farm; a large 19th century painting from the John Sandfield Macdonald family of Bishop Alexander MacDonell, who took part in the taking of Ogdensburg and a Military General Service Medal with a Battle of Crysler's Farm clasp awarded to battle veteran, along with other paintings, maps and artifacts with a local connection related to the War.
Described by Americans as the "Second War of Independence" because the British did not defeat the former 13 Colonies; the war that defined British North America because the Americans did not conquer Canada, and the war the British forgot because of the relatively few men involved - the War of 1812 had direct impact on Cornwall and SD & G, from the defeat of American forces at Crsyler's Farm to the evacuation of Cornwall and the raising of the Glengarry Fencibles, perpetuated today as the SD & G Highlanders.
The exhibit will be on display Wednesday to Sunday throughout the summer from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., admission to the museum is free.
