Other historians may not agree, but archaeologist Tim Abel says Sackets Harbor and the North Country were one of the most important fronts in the War of 1812.

"At times, there were upwards of 6,000 troops at Sackets Harbor. We had more warships in Sackets than we had in any other seaport in the United States," he said.

Other States and the Canadian government have put money towards huge bicentennial re-enactments and even monuments, but Governor Andrew Cuomo has vetoed two bills funding commissions for War of 1812 celebrations.

In September, the Cuomo administration estimated the cost of the commission at $1.4 million to the state.

Abel says this estimate was far too high.

"What we were asking for from the parks is the same thing that they do on a daily basis. It's not that we were asking them to do something they don't already do," he said.
 
Without aid from Albany, the story of the battles at Sackets Harbor and Plattsburgh might not receive national attention.  According to Abel, it will be the same old story.

"You watch the most recent PBS documentary on the War of 1812, the north country gets barely a mention. I absolutely know it's being forgotten," he said.

The Sackets Harbor battlefield site is planning re-enactments for the summer of next year.  So, even without State funding the bicentennial celebration will go on - just on a smaller scale.