Ft. Ticonderoga, NY

The Fort looked black against the bright blue sky. It was the perfect day for exploring a little of upstate New York and for learning more about an important place in America’s history. We were ready to explore!

We usually set out on vacation with a plan in mind. In our family’s numerous cross-country or coastal trips we planned many purposeful stops. Sometimes, though, vacation can be about the rest. It’s important so we don’t come back from our vacation needing another vacation.

At the beginning of this particular summer we decided we needed a rest. Getting back into the swing of things after COVID was not as smooth as we had hoped. We longed to travel, as our adventuring had been on hold for over a year.

Our friends, who had a house in the Adirondacks near Lake George, offered us some time to get away there. We jumped at the chance. We spent time kayaking, playing along the shore and diving off the pier. One rainy morning we played games and laughed together. There was an evening of hot dogs over a fire and one quiet morning I was up early and watched the sunrise alone. It was a lovely way to slow down as a family.

When we got to the end of our third day, we decided that we’d better take advantage of our location before it was time to leave the area. We knew the hustle and bustle of real life would soon be upon us. We wondered where we should explore.

As it turned out, we were about 30 minutes south of Ft. Ticonderoga, a crucial historical site of the American Revolutionary War. This day trip was unplanned, so we decided to Embrace the Journey.

Stepping Back in Time

My junior year American History class in high school was a while ago. Let’s just say I’ve seen four different Presidents inaugurated since those days. So, my memory did not serve me well when trying to recall how this well-preserved fort fit into the American Revolution story. What I did remember was something about General Knox marching or pushing cannons from Ft. Ticonderoga to Boston. But why were the guns there, near Lakes Champlain and George in the first place?

My husband reads military history books and my boys have a great graphic novel series they have almost memorized.  So each of them were well versed in the history of the fort. I, on the other hand, had to read all the signs and looked up at little history online for help.

According to the Americana Corner, the original fort was built by the French in 1755 in order to prevent the British from invading “New France” (current day Canada) during the French and Indian War. The French called it Fort Carillion. Once the British won the war in 1763, they changed the name to Fort Ticonderoga.

With the start of the Revolutionary War, the British troops were needed elsewhere, so the fort’s population dropped to 50 soldiers. The militiamen known as the Green Mountain Boys from current day Vermont, decided to capture the poorly-defended fort.

Meanwhile Benedict Arnold (yes, him) also wanted in on the action and required the colonel of the Green Mountain Boys, Ethan Allen, to share command of the mission. Together they directed the attack on the Fort on May 10, 1775.

Fort Ticonderoga and its nearby supporting fort were easily overcome since the British were only 50 strong. The win was a great morale boost for the colonists. The new conquest proved important later that winter when General Henry Knox took a memorable trek through the snow. Knox led troops in taking 59 cannons from Fort Ticonderoga to Boston. General Washington used those cannons to drive the British out of Boston with significant cannon fire shooting into Boston Harbor.

Touring the Fort

The day was bright and starting to get warm. We quickly walked toward a great silhouette where a bare flagpole stood waiting for the flag.

Then we moved toward the fort’s front door. Looking to our right we saw the expanse over-looking the shining blue water of the Hudson River and the lush green of the trees across the waterway.

As we approached the entrance we paused to check out the view over the top of the southern turrets that over-looked the Hudson River. The cannons sat pointing through the battlement wall. They were each emblazoned with a beautiful designs like shields, “fleur-de-lis”s, vines and swords.

These cannons were reproductions, yet well placed. The way they stood, peeking out from behind the wall and pointing across the river, gave a vivid picture as to what the defensive position may have looked like. The boys and I started to understand the initial purpose for Ft. Ticonderoga.

About this time a crowd gathered about the flagpole. We watched as the re-enactors dressed in period British uniforms, marched through the archway and directly to the bastion on the south wall and began to raise “Old Glory”. Quite ironic, I thought.

Next we headed for the large archway into a central court of the fort. This main area served as both the parade ground where the soldiers would have had formation and  the “Place of Arms.” When there was a battle, this was the area they had their equipment at the ready. We proceeded through the vast space. We imagined this central area bustling with soldiers and horses carrying on about their business.

We ducked into the first doorway. The boys found the “dress up” area where they tried on period clothing. I read about the area and the fort’s construction. I was fascinated by the exhibit featuring French construction terminology. You might say I’m a nerd.

We proceeded to another doorway where we met a re-enactor performing the duties of the tailor. There we learned that the soldiers all knew how to sew, but the fort had its own tailor. He was to maintain continual production of uniforms for officers first and enlisted next. After all, there was no going to clothing and sales at the nearest post exchange!

Our next stop we was my favorite, the cook! We briefly watched as he cut vegetables with something that looked like an old kitchen knife. He talked about how his knife was really a multi-purpose tool for the time. It was morning, so cook was just starting the dinner preparation. He kept the fire hot enough to cook the meat to prepare a large volume of meat to feed all of the soldiers.

After the visiting the cook, we continued to explore the giant fortress. We knew we had a 5-hour drive ahead of us, so we prioritized letting the boys run around and explore a while longer.

We finally headed to the bookstore was adjacent to the fort. It was loaded with treats and snacks. We made a quick stop and drove to a different part of the property: the King’s Garden.

We enjoyed the vivid colors and garden’s intricate design. The walk was lovely too, as stretching our legs would prove wise before the next leg of our trip. As we left the main part of the fort we passed livestock, rock rubble that appeared to be significant and a ferry.  There was a lot left to explore.

The down side to a last-minute trip for me was that we had not budgeted time to explore the all of the grounds. Had I planned out the trip ahead of time we would have allotted significantly more time. Indeed, there was much more to see and do. For us the adventure will continue with a future visit!

Closest Military Installations

MWR Locations Nearby

If You Go:

• Definitely spend some time looking at the website or a travel book to see what you want to visit on the Fort Ticonderoga grounds. There are also special exhibits and events throughout the year.
• The town outside Fort Ticonderoga, called Ticonderoga, is small and looks quaint. You may wish to check out the town on your way to Mount Defiance, which overlooks the Fort.
• Fort Ticonderoga is in New England and is therefore closed from November to April due to anticipated winter weather. Check the website for specific dates.
• The area has a lot to see. I suggest staying a few days on Lake George and playing in the lake or going for hikes in the Adirondack Mountains.