The public is invited to take a once-ever packaged tour, on Saturday, September 12, 2015, of Champlain lake shore sites where five military forts were built between 238 and 325 years ago.
Historians will lead guests on a tour of the archaeological sites of two early forts (1660, 1731) at Chimney Point in Addison, Vermont; the ruins of two forts (1734, 1759) in Crown Point, New York; and a Revolution War fort site (1776) in Orwell, Vermont.
Among these five forts are three registered national historic landmarks, the largest British fort in North America, a fort that stood – over 100 feet tall – and was manned for a quarter century, and a fort that was constructed by a 4,000-soldier workforce.
After the first four fort tours of the day, participants may drive 26 miles south to Mount Independence State Historic Site and present their special “Five Formidable Forts” ticket and be admitted to an historian-guided afternoon hiking tour of the fifth fort.
This unique tour is sponsored by Friends of Crown Point State Historic Site. The Friends group will supplement the bring-your-own lunch in a large picnic pavilion, with cold soft drinks and a cookie. During lunch, historian-educator Don Thompson will present a brief first-person interpretation of Samuel Champlain, the first European visitor to the area.
The tour will start at Chimney Point State Historic Site, located at the northeast end of the Lake Champlain Bridge, at 10 am. The cost of the tour is $20 per person (people age fifteen and younger are admitted free, if accompanied by an adult).
Tickets may be reserved through the historic site administrators at Chimney Point (Elsa, 802-759-2412) and Crown Point (Michael, 518-597-4666) State Historic Sites.
Tour space is limited and the public is encouraged, but not required, to pre-register; walk-ups will be welcome, space permitting.
Tour participants should have footwear appropriate for some walking at Crown Point and for a trail hike at Mount Independence. There is no rain date.
Photo of Crown Point ruins by John Warren.
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