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by Lisa A. Abraham, Blade Staff Writer
The Blade (Toledo, OH)
11-20-99
Teachers from Fort Miami School huddled around their television sets, their eyes glued to C-SPAN.
As they watched members of the U.S. House of Representatives cast their votes Thursday night, they knew yesterday would be no ordinary day for their Maumee students -- they had been part of history in the making.
The students of Fort Miami elementary, government officials, and historic preservationists were part of a 10-year effort to have Fallen Timbers Battlefield and Fort Miamis declared national historic sites.
The House, in a vote Thursday, passed legislation that provides for those designations. With the Senate having approved the bill, all that is needed is the signature of the President. He is expected to approve the measure. Jonathon Corum, 10, a fifth-grader and president of the school's student council, got a 7 a.m. phone call yesterday from his principal, Ann Roberts, instructing him to prepare a speech for a school assembly.
By the time he got to school, his remarks were written, and Jonathon helped break the news to his schoolmates that the place they go sledding will be a national historic site. His speech included a bit of history: "The Battle of Fallen Timbers was named that name because just before the battle, a tornado swept through the forest, knocking down most of the trees. That is why it was called the Battle of Fallen Timbers."
And some current events: "Maumee and Toledo are putting $7.5 million into this activity. Hopefully, Mr. Clinton will sign the bill into law."
His words brought tears to the eyes of G. Michael Pratt, the professor of anthropology and director of the Center for Historic and Military Archaeology at Heidelberg College, whose study first located the battleground.
Dr. Pratt, who had been in Cincinnati, left at 5 a.m. to get to Maumee in time for the 10 a.m. assembly. He believes the efforts of the school were critical in getting the Fallen Timbers bill pushed through Congress.
Dr. Roberts said helping the fight for Fallen Timbers became a school-wide project for Fort Miami students last year.
She told the story of the battle and explained the significance of the fort to each class. Pupils began writing letters, making posters, and typing e-mails, all of which were sent to members of Congress to encourage their votes.
"When they realized the place we sled is being discussed on the floor of Congress, that made it so real to them," Dr. Roberts said.
Dr. Pratt said he knows the students' efforts were not in vain, because he saw representatives with their letters and pictures when he testified before congressional subcommittees.
Beyond their help in getting the legislation passed, Dr. Pratt said the students' project was significant because he believes they one day will pass their knowledge on to their own children, fostering in future generations an appreciation for the history they live amidst.
The 185-acre site that is the Fallen Timbers Battlefield is in Maumee near I-475 and U.S. 24. The land marks the spot where, in 1794, American soldiers, led by General Anthony Wayne, defeated the Miamis Indians in a battle that gave the United States the city of Detroit and secured Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois for settlement.
Fort Miamis was established by the British for the native Americans, but later was taken over by General Wayne's forces.
Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D., Toledo) and Sen. Mike DeWine (R., O.) pushed the Fallen Timbers legislation in Washington. The bill does not provide any federal money to help buy the land from Toledo, but it clears the way for the government to provide as much as $3.1 million for the project.
Ohio has pledged $2 million, and Maumee $500,000, toward the project, which is expected to cost about $7.5 million.
Marianne Duvendack, president of the Fallen Timbers Battlefield Commission, said her group hopes the land will be developed into a park that will honor those who lost their lives in a battle on the ground.
"It's hallowed ground," she said.
Mrs. Duvendack has been active in the preservation effort for 10 years, so it was a welcome surprise when Thursday's vote coincided with her birthday.
Dr. Pratt said his digs at the fort and battlefield uncovered numerous artifacts that could be displayed in museum-style displays at the historic site.
"Now we can begin planning what this will eventually become," he said.
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