Fort Ticonderoga is launching a new schedule of programs during its Winter Quarters season. From now through April, visitors will be immersed in exciting living history events, engaging seminars, specialty programs, behind-the-scenes VIP Tours, and hands-on workshops.
Guests can now explore Fort Ticonderoga during what was traditionally the “Winter Quarters” season for armies of the 18th century. Groups of 15 or more are welcome to schedule a visit to have the entire property to themselves and a dedicated historic interpreter for a group tour.
“Discover a new perspective of Ticonderoga’s epic history and stunning historic landscape during our Winter Quarters season,” said Beth Hill, Fort Ticonderoga president and CEO. “Just as the armies of the 18th century moved into Winter Quarters during this period of the year, Fort Ticonderoga captures the story, activities, and winter-time beauty of the 2000-acre site. Fort Ticonderoga is continuing to lead the way for regional destinations to offer year-round experiences. From special group tours and field trips, classroom visits, incredible living history events, seminars and lectures series and a variety of other programs and new exhibitions, Fort Ticonderoga’s Winter Quarters is a must-do for residents in the region as well as the many tourists who visit the Adirondacks for its story, beauty, and wintertime activities.”
Living History Events: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Dec. 7, 2019: The Noble Train Begins
Witness the raw power of oxen and horses as these thousand-pound animals pull sleds of cannon tubes. Examine the science of gunnery. Discover Fort Ticonderoga’s massive cannon collection, and stand in the very spot where Henry Knox began his Noble Train of Artillery.
- Jan. 18, 2020: Preparing for the Coming Campaign
A full day of programs includes engaging guided tours, weapons demonstrations, and even a tasting of colonial chocolate along with a program on the importance that this food item played in the lives of American soldiers and camp followers at Ticonderoga.
- Feb. 15, 2020: 1775 British Garrison Event
Highlighted programming throughout the day brings to life the experience of soldiers in the 26th Regiment of Foot and their families who made their homes in this frontier fort.
- March 14, 2020: Proceed to Canada with all Possible Expedition
Discover how veterans from 1775 and new recruits assembled hastily at Ticonderoga to face an American military crisis. Explore the logistics of an army in winter as supplies arrive by horse and oxen while soldiers prepare cannon to be hauled north to Canada.
Fort Fever Series 
Fort Ticonderoga’s popular wintertime Fort Fever Series returns in 2020 and features programs led by Fort Ticonderoga museum staff who will share their latest research and cutting-edge discoveries. All programs are held on Sundays at 2:00 p.m. in the Mars Education Center at Fort Ticonderoga. Admission is $10/person at the door, free admission offered to Fort Ticonderoga Members and Ambassador Pass holders.
- Jan. 12, 2020: Documenting, Preserving, and Making Accessible Ticonderoga’s Collections
Join Fort Ticonderoga Director of Collections Miranda Peters as she highlights the incredible work being undertaken by museum staff to document, preserve, and make accessible Ticonderoga’s world-class museum collections.
- Feb. 9, 2020: First in War, First in Peace, George Washington’s 1783 Visit to Ticonderoga and the end of the American Revolution
Join Fort Ticonderoga Curator Matthew Keagle to explore the forgotten conclusion of the Revolutionary War in the north.
- March 8, 2020: Discovering Women in Fort Ticonderoga’s Collections
During Women’s History Month, join Museum Registrar and Site Archeologist Margaret Staudter for a survey of objects owned and used by both famous and unknown women in Fort Ticonderoga’s collections. Many of these objects have recently been cataloged and photographed.
- April 5, 2020: Fitted with Great Exactness: The Life and Importance of Clothing to the British Soldier in the Era of the American Revolution
Join Fort Ticonderoga Artificer Tailor Joseph Zea to explore the great efforts that were required to ensure that clothing was made, individually fit, well-maintained and then remade, all for the purpose of ensuring a proper “soldier like” appearance.
Winter Workshop Series
Fort Ticonderoga’s professional staff and tradesmen will guide you as you make your own 18th-century clothing and accoutrement during hands-on trades’ workshops. Each workshop includes a coat kit, sewing materials and lunch.
Pre-registration is required by calling 518-585-6190.
- Jan. 25-26, 2020: 1777 British Canada Army Coats
Learn the latest research on British enlisted regimental coat construction and their modification by the British Army in Canada in February 1777. Discover period shortcuts for these military garments, produced en masse for regimental contracts.
- Feb. 22-23, 2020: Canada Army & Foraging Caps
Build a classically inspired cap first worn by the British Army in Canada in 1777. These warm, wool foraging caps were commonly worn by soldiers on work details or off duty.
- March 14, 2020: French Women’s Jackets
Construct your own English women’s clothing accessories from the 1770s and learn about the use and assembly of women’s caps, mitts, and pockets.
Behind-the-Scenes VIP Opportunities
This exclusive once-in-a-lifetime experience provides a unique behind-the-scenes look at Fort Ticonderoga’s world-class collections. Highlights include clothing, weapons, and personal possessions of soldiers from across the Atlantic. Learn how objects tell amazing stories of the past and how Fort Ticonderoga contextualizes its rich collection. This program takes place in the Thompson Pell Research Center. In addition to the 3-hour program, return the following day to take part in a Winter Quarters living history event, included in the cost. Advanced reservations are required by calling 518-585-1023.
To learn more, visit www.fortticonderoga.org or call 518-585-2821.
Photo credit and copyright Fort Ticonderoga.
About Fort Ticonderoga:
Welcoming visitors since 1909, Fort Ticonderoga preserves North America’s largest 18th-century artillery collection, 2,000 acres of historic landscape on Lake Champlain, and Carillon Battlefield, and the largest series of untouched Revolutionary War era earthworks surviving in America. As a multi-day destination and the premier place to learn more about our nation’s earliest years and America’s military heritage, Fort Ticonderoga engages more than 75,000 visitors each year with an economic impact of more than $12 million annually and offers programs, historic interpretation, boat cruises, tours, demonstrations, and exhibits throughout the year, and is open for daily visitation May through October. Fort Ticonderoga is supported in part through generous donations and with some general operating support made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.