Fort Ticonderoga!

What Is Fort Ticonderoga?

Fort Ticonderoga is a reconstruction of a French/British/American fort that spanned two wars on the shores of Lake Champlain!

What Makes It Historical?

After many years of war over this strategic corridor between Lakes Champlain and George, the French governor of Canada ordered Michel Chartier de Lotbinière to secure the peninsula, previously known as tekotaro:ke, against the British! From 1755 until 1759, French troops constructed their fort, called Fort Carillon, which, while never truly finished, still withstood a massive British attack on July 8, 1758, the bloodiest on the continent until the Civil War!

The next year, though, most of the troops stationed here were called away to defend Quebec, leaving Fort Carillon ripe for takeover! Despite blowing up the powder magazine, the French troops surrendered the fort to the British in 1759. The British then renamed it Ticonderoga, their version of the peninsula’s Mohawk name!

The British held on to Fort Ticonderoga all the way until May 10, 1775 when the Green Mountain Boys, led by Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold, came knocking. Their capture of Fort Ticonderoga was the first American victory of the Revolution! They probably could have held it, too, if Henry Knox hadn’t withdrawn 59 artillery pieces from the fort to break the siege of Boston. The British, under General Burgoyne, then retook the fort on July 6, 1777 and held it all the way until their loss at Saratoga!

Today’s Fort Ticonderoga is a 1909 reconstruction started by British architect, Alfred Bossom for the Pell family, who bought this land after the Revolutionary War! Though not entirely period-authentic, this monumental reconstruction is full of exhibits and living history docents who can really bring this fort’s many historic faces to life!

How Can I #HelpTheHelpers?

Pay the entrance fee to help maintain trails, signs, structures, and other visitor services!
Become a member of Fort Ticonderoga!
Donate to Fort Ticonderoga!
Be a responsible visitor! Please respect the signs and pathways, and treat all structures and artifacts with respect. They’ve endured a lot to survive into the present. They’ll need our help to make it into the future!