The region around and now occupied by the city of Vincennes played a pivotal role in the development of the western frontier of the United States. In 1810 and 1811, critically important conferences took place in Vincennes between Indian Territory Governor William Henry Harrison and noted Indian leader Tecumseh, the latter seeking to forge a continent wide confederation of tribes, not unlike the political structure of the United States.

The conferences, which attempted to settle major land disputes between American settlers and various Indian tribes, were unsuccessful. Governor Harrison, following the failed conferences, ordered the mustering of a frontier army at Vincennes to march against the stronghold of the Prophet and Tecumseh at Prophets town (near present day Lafayette.) This campaign ended with the Battle of Tippecanoe and the defeat of the Native American forces. 

It is the intent of this local commission to provide relevant information in a timely manner to correctly reflect the role of these conferences and the resulting Battle of Tippecanoe played in contributing to the War of 1812.