The War of 1812 has been called the forgotten war. Genesee Country Village and Museum is planning to correct this on June 21-22 at a brand-new event - The War of 1812 Encampment.

While many textbooks cite the impressments of U.S. seaman by the British Navy as the reason behind the war, strongest support for the war was in the southern states and Ohio - not New England. Had not the British been so preoccupied with Napoleon in Europe, they could have applied more resources to subdue the Americans. "We could have lost everything we gained during the revolution," says Dan Barber, museum curator of collections.

The reenactment time period is set after Buffalo was razed by fire on December 13, 1813. The local population was still enraged and a strong spirit of patriotism had emerged from the prevailing fear and chaos that gripped Western New York, which sat uneasily on the front lines of the war. Volunteers were joining militia troops marching west.

Members of 19th U.S. Infantry, Langham's Co. from Maumee, Ohio; and Norfolk Militia from the Toronto area, will set up camp on the edge of the historic village. Visitors can interact with the reenactors, who will be drilling and who have soldier stories to tell. While there will be musket firing, there will be no troop engagement.

"The War of 1812 was a draw," Barber says. "The only reminder left today is also the largely unknown fact that neither Canadian nor American warships are allowed to practice on the Great Lakes."

For information call (585) 538-6822 or go to www.geneseecountryvillage.org.