I just visited the Erie Maritime Museum yesterday when I happened to be in the area.
Didn't get to see the Niagara, unfortunately -- its berth was empty and it must have been out cruising the lake.
But I did see this damage display installation in person, and it really is remarkable. You see all the smashed holes from the big carronades, 12-pounders, and grape on this replica side of a ship, and it really shows how nasty those flying splinters must have been.
Now I REALLY want to see SoG do the Great Lakes fleets some day -- or see a mod that could adapt the game to these battles.