Join the Toledo Historical Swordsmanship Society as we host our first public event filled with informative classes, fun sparring events and some great camping in an amazing historical venue.

The Toledo War (1835–36), also known as the Michigan–Ohio War, was an ALMOST bloodless boundary dispute between the U.S. state of Ohio and the adjoining territory of Michigan.

Poor geographical understanding of the Great Lakes helped produce conflicting state and federal legislation leading the governments of Ohio and Michigan to both claim jurisdiction over a The Toledo Strip. The situation came to a head when Michigan petitioned for statehood and sought to include the disputed territory within its boundaries. Both states deployed militias on opposite sides of the Maumee River near Toledo in an attempt to stake their claims.

Once again the THSS hopes to bring Michigan and Ohio together. This time for a bit more friendly encounter centered around our passion for historical European martial arts. Instructors from Michigan and Ohio will share their knowledge and interpretations with attendees and afterwords a night of sparring and friendly competitions.

List of classes:

Meyer’s Art of Constrainment by Adam Franti

Fiore Bastoncello and historical stick by George Carr

18th Century Smallsword by Terry Gruber

Ringen am schwert by Frank Zarmary

Pole Arms by Ben Houck

Frabrisian Rapier by Jared Willwerth

Lignitzer Sword and Buckler by Josh Little

Fiore’s longsword by Kyle Tansek

Cutting Mechanics with Sean Franklin

The History of the Toledo War by Adam Franti

How to Make Money in a Small Club by Ben Houck

Fort Meigs is the largest reconstructed wooden-walled fort in the nation. It was originally built to defend the Ohio country from British invasion during the War of 1812. The fort which was built to hold 2,000 soldiers will serve as an amazing backdrop to The Toledo War. Afterwards we'll be camping INSIDE the fort where we can all share our passion for HEMA around the bonfire.

General Admission Tickets include:

Access to all the above classes

Lunch

Access to the Fort Meigs Historical Museum

Sparring competition and games

Camping Tickets Include:

Access to all the above classes

Lunch

Access to the Fort Meigs Historical Museum

Sparring Competition and Games

Dinner

Camping that night INSIDE Fort Meigs trading war stories around the bonfire.

If you are camping with us at Fort Meigs you will need to provide your own camping equipment. While the conversation around the campfire will be anything but dry, Fort Meigs is a dry site. So please no Alchohol.