New Historical Plaque Being Dedicated at Lake George Battlefield

The Society of Colonial Wars in the State of New York, founded in 1892, and whose contributions to commemorating the history of the Lake George region date back to the 1903 Battle of Lake George (William Johnson-King Hendrick) sculpture at Lake George Battlefield Park, will dedicate a new historical plaque in the park on Monday, September 7 (Labor Day) at 12 noon.

The Lake George Battlefield Park Alliance and Fort William Henry are joining the Society of Colonial Wars for the ceremony at the burial site in the park of four unknown combatants who were killed during the Battle of Lake George on September 8, 1755.

The new plaque honors the deceased, “known only to God”, who were re-interred at the site in 1935 following the discovery of their remains during a local road construction project.

A series of brief presentations will provide the story behind the conflict on that day among British provincials — Americans fighting for England — French and Canadian soldiers, and Native Americans whose allegiances were split between the two rivals.

The event is free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs, if needed, for the 30–40-minute ceremony.

The ceremony concludes with the plaque unveiling, traditional Broken Arrow Ceremony and benediction by The Reverend Ian Bruce Montgomery, Society of Colonial Wars Chaplain General, and the Society’s past Governor General, Charles Neuhauser, followed with a salute by an Honor Guard from Fort William Henry.

The Lake George Battlefield Park Visitor Center, located at 75 Fort George Road (basement level), is open on September 7 from 10 am until 4 pm.

The nonprofit Society of Colonial Wars was founded in New York State and incorporated in 1892. The Society is a historical, educational, and patriotic organization whose purpose is to perpetuate the memory of those who assisted in establishing colonies of America during the period from the settlement of Jamestown, May 13, 1607, to the battle of Lexington, on April 19, 1775.

The Society has placed many memorials at historical colonial sites and each year participates in patriotic observances. It also awards scholarships to high school and college students and presents an annual book award.

There are approximately 500 members in the Society of Colonial Wars in the State of New York. For more information, visit their website.

The Lake George Battlefield Park Alliance is a not-for-profit organization of volunteers dedicated to preserving and interpreting the Lake George Region’s critical role in the French and Indian War and the American Revolution.

Through a cooperative agreement with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), the Alliance operates the Battlefield Park Museum and Visitor Center in the Lake George Park Commission offices and sponsors programs and events throughout the year that educate the public about the site and its unique history.

The Alliance is also a steward of the Battlefield Park’s memorials, including the recently dedicated Repose of the Fallen reburial site honoring 44 Continental Army personnel who perished at Lake George in 1776, as well as three restored bronze sculptures depicting important moments in the region’s history. For more information, visit their website.

Read more about the Battle of Lake George

Photo of the “Four Unknowns” monument provided.