Fort Ticonderoga

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Fort Ticonderoga recently received major funding for restoration of the Southwest Bastion and South Curtain Wall by a Semiquincentennial grant from the Historic Preservation Fund administered by the National Park Service, Department of the Interior commemorating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. This funding will assist in stabilizing and restoring this iconic and historic fort, ensuring that future generations will be able to experience this nationally significant historic site.

“As we approach the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution (2025-2031), the preservation of the fort walls is particularly vital and can serve as a central rallying point in the national semiquincentenial celebration,” said Beth L. Hill, Fort Ticonderoga president and CEO. “Fort Ticonderoga was the site of the first American victory of the Revolution on May 10th, 1775, when Ethan Allen, Benedict Arnold and the Green Mountain Boys captured the fort from the British. Today, it shines as a touchstone for our nation’s proud heritage. The fort walls are in need of major restoration due to continuous deterioration over time and weather impact. Funding will specifically be used for restoration of the South Curtain Wall and Southwest Bastion.”

“The Semiquincentennial is an opportunity for the nation to recognize and reflect on the diverse cultures, events, and places that have helped shape our country,” said NPS Director Chuck Sams. “Through the Semiquincentennial Grant Program, the National Park Service is supporting projects that showcase the many places and stories that contributed to the evolution of the American experience.”

https://www.fortticonderoga.org/news/fort-ticonderoga-receives-major-funding-to-support-restoration-of-the-southwest-bastion-and-south-curtain-wall/

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Happy #ManuscriptMonday! October was a transitional month in military campaigns in New York and Canada. The month saw some impressive military victories, like the October 20, 1775 capture of Fort Chambly and the October 7, 1777 Battle of Bemis Heights. However, it was also a time for armies to reassess as winter weather approached, determining whether they could achieve their goals or whether they should retreat to winter quarters. Today’s document, MS.2030, is the minutes from a war council at Lake George on October 20-21, 1755, where the British and provincial army under Sir William Johnson considered these questions. Johnson’s objective for 1755 had been to capture the French fort at Crown Point, but while he had beaten the French at the September 8 Battle of Lake George, the campaign had stalled out since then. The council was convened to answer a question asked by Massachusetts’ Council of War: “whether it is possible to go thro’ with the Expedition this Fall, if the provisions & stores were speedily sent up?” The council concluded that it was not. They listed their reasons for calling off the attack: by the time that sufficient provisions were ready, which might take until mid-November, “the Lake would be in danger of Freezing, or the Wind high & boisterous, which would endanger the loss of our army by water… or cut off all manner of our supply”. After a long campaign season with little shelter, “near one third of our army are sick and unfit for Duty, their Spirits exhausted, their Strength & Vigour enervated”. The council added that if the colonial governments, “whom we are willing to serve to Death when call’d… advise us to press forward our own lives, we will risque and willingly submit the Event”, but they believed there was no chance of success. Luckily for the council, the colonies agreed with them, and the expedition was ended for the year. British troops returned to the Lake George area in 1756, but Crown Point, the campaign’s original goal, would remain in French hands until 1759.
This document can be found on our online database in the link below. #TiconderogaCollections #OpeningTheVault https://fortticonderoga.catalogaccess.com/archives/30040

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It`s #FoliageFriday and here at Fort Ticonderoga our fall colors are beginning to peak.

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Fort Ticonderoga recently announced the creation of the Northern Department, a major new tourism initiative connecting partners in New York, Vermont, and Canada, including Tribal partnerships. This new tourism initiative, as part of America’s 250th national commemoration, is being celebrated from 2025-2027. The historic Northern Department was created by Continental authorities in 1775 and was established to manage the war against the British in the vast northern part of New York, New England, and Canada.

Today, this initiative is inspired by the region’s defining role in the War for American’s Independence from the rivers, lakes, and mountains between Saratoga and Montreal, the Northern Department will promote historic sites and museums during the commemorative period.

A new interactive website highlights 18 historic destinations across New York, Vermont, Québec, and tribal nations connected to the American Revolution. Additionally, Northern Department brochures are available at the partnering historic sites and museums. The Northern Department will also be featured in an upcoming video production in 2025 and social media channels during the 250th commemorative period, which will place the region at the center of the conflict which shaped our nation. Visit the website here: https://northerndepartment.org/.

READ MORE: https://www.fortticonderoga.org/news/fort-ticonderoga-launches-major-new-tourism-initiative-for-americas-250th/

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Happy #ManuscriptTUESDAY! While major military activity around Lake Champlain and Lake George came to an end at the close of the Saratoga Campaign in 1777, that did not mean that the area was safe. Northern New York was still the American frontier, sharing its border with British Canada. The years after 1777 saw a series of raids and skirmishes across New York’s northern frontier. In response to this threat, the American army sent small groups of soldiers to garrison forts in the Lake George area, including Fort George, Fort Edward, and Fort Anne.

Today’s document, 2003.0074.006, a letter from Fort Edward’s commander Colonel Henry Livingston dated October 12, 1780, is a report from the middle of a British raid. Fort George, he writes, “surrendered yesterday… to Eigh[t] Hundred British troops and two Hund’d Indians and two Comp’y of Torys.” After hearing of a party of about 25 British soldiers in the woods near the fort, its commander, “immaging that the Party consisting of only a small scout of the Enemy[,] sent out all his Garrison except fourteen men”. The skirmish turned into a rout when more British troops arrived, and the 14 men remaining in the fort could not hold off the British siege. The tiny garrison at Fort Anne, meanwhile, surrendered without firing a shot. Livingston’s Fort Edward, though, was left untouched, to his confusion: “by which means they avoided me I cannot conjecture Unless it was owing to a man that was going up the very morning that the Enemy took Fort Ann by whom I wrote to Capt Sherwood that I was very strong and that I would support him in case of attack[,] expecting the Enemy would take the man.” In reality, the garrison consisted of only 60 militiamen.

Whether Fort Edward was spared because of Livingston’s ruse or because it was not deemed important enough to attack, it escaped unscathed; the rest of the area was not so lucky. Fort George and Fort Anne were both burned, and so were many of the area’s farms, forcing their residents to flee south until the war ended.

This document can be found on our online database in the link in bio. #TiconderogaCollections #OpeningTheVault

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September 2, 1774 General Orders for the British Army in America required regiments to plan ahead for winter clothing.

"The Regiments will look out for leggings and mittens, against the severity of the winter, the General gives them this timely notice, that they may send to New York or Philadelphia for them if necessary."

Following General Thomas Gage`s orders, we have our wool leggings ready for the crisp #fall days ahead!