The Memorial will remain open until mid-October. Renovations are scheduled to begin in late October and will last for 2-3 years. The actual restoration of the observation deck atop the Memorial will not begin until March of 2010. 

The Visitor Center and the park grounds will remain open throughout the entire construction phase. Park staff will offer several new interpretive programs starting the summer of 2010. 

The National Parks: America's Best Idea, a 12-hour, 6-part documentary directed by Ken Burns will premiere on PBS beginning Sunday September 27, 2009.

Perry's Victory Monument’s Observation Deck Will Be Closed Most of 2007 Season (Archive)

“The observation deck atop the monument column at Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial will be closed throughout most of the 2007 visitor season” announced Superintendent Andy Ferguson. Sunday, June 9, will be the last day that visitors will be assured the opportunity of taking the 1915 Otis elevator to the 317’ level and looking out across the waters of Lake Erie this summer. Ferguson was optimistic that, “We may still have some opportunities to open up the Monument to public access on some weekends, but only if we can do it with no risk to our visitors and without disruption to the restoration work being done.” more ...

Perry's Victory Monument Column Reopened 2006 (Archive)

Superintendent Andy Ferguson announced today that the 352’column at Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial will once again be open to the public. On Saturday, August 26, at 10 am the Perry's Victory Monument will reopen after being closed for 64 days. The public is invited to come experience the breath-taking view from the 317’ observation deck. On a clear day mainland Canada and Cleveland are often visible as are the surrounding islands and coastline of Lake Erie’s western basin. Of course, from atop the Monument, the location of Perry's historic War of 1812 naval victory over a superior British fleet is also very easily seen. more ...

July 26, 2006 Perry's Victory Monument to Reopen Soon (Archive).
Good news! Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial's Superintendent Andy Ferguson announced today that as soon as safety conditions are met, he plans to reopen the Monument. more...

On July 25, 2006 engineers from Vertical Access examined each of the 52 fascia stones at the 300 foot observation deck level of the Monument.

7/24/06 Perry's Monument Column to be Inspected for Safety (Archive)

On the morning of Tuesday, July 25th staff at Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial anticipate having engineers inspect the damaged and other fascia stones atop Perry's Monument column. Engineers from Vertical Access, in climbing harnesses, will be "over-the-side" physically examining each of the 52 fascia stones at the 300 foot observation deck level of the Monument. more ...

 

A Monument to Perry, Closed 2006 (Archive)

On the evening of June 22nd 2006, a piece of granite facing stone weighing about 500 pounds fell onto the upper plaza of Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial. It fell from the southeast side of the observation deck at the 317 foot level shattering the plaza floor. The granite piece measured about three feet by four feet by eight inches. While the event was witnessed or “heard”, no one was injured. The monument was already closed for the day and the scene was secured for public safety. It will remain closed until further notice.