“In sight of the ruins, a quarter mile distant…” Part 2
The story of a visit to Fort Ticonderoga in 1872. Part 2, Overland passage to the Fort. Upon leaving the docks on the stagecoach bound for Fort Ticonderoga, Stoddard records that William Baldwin immediately set to entertaining and educating his passengers during the hour-long journey to the Fort; sometimes boasting of the famous passengers he […]
Never Say Never
To historians, perhaps as much as scientists, proving yourself wrong is often more exciting than being correct. Often visitors ask about how the cavalry was used in battle around Fort Ticonderoga, to which our answer would be that we haven’t found any evidence of cavalry at Fort Ticonderoga. Typically, we elaborate on this answer to […]
“In sight of the ruins, a quarter mile distant…” Part 1
The story of a visit to Fort Ticonderoga in 1872. Part 1, The photographer and his book. This is the first in a four-part blog series describing a visit to the ruins of Fort Ticonderogain 1872 by Seneca Ray Stoddard. Stoddard (1844-1917) was a prolific photographer and writer focusing much of his work on New […]
We’ve Got the Blues
Deep blue, azure blue, sky blue, and sapphire blue – annuals and perennials in shades of blue are artfully arranged to accent both soft and bold colored plant groupings. All are on display in the King’s Garden, one of just a few examples of landscape architect Marian Coffin’s work that remains from her successful career that peaked […]
Combat in the North Woods
In discussing firelocks, cannons, or mortars with visitors, the question that logically comes up is the use of these weapons in a battle. Unfortunately, mentioning “A Battle” leads to images conjured out of the movies. Despite the rugged, wooded hills surrounding Fort Ticonderoga, as well as Lake Champlain, the hypothetical battle in which these weapons […]
His story deserves to be told…
Battles are often remembered for the major military figures involved and how the actions that took place on the battlefield contributed to the greater outcome of a war. Usually when discussed today, battles are described in terms of tactics, commanders, and remarkable feats of heroism. Casualty numbers are generally known, and people understand very well that […]
Fort Ticonderoga’s Art Collection and Students
The other day I had the opportunity to work with a group of students from Richmond Elementary School in Richmond, Vermont. These third and fourth graders came to Fort Ticonderoga to take part in our “The Artist’s Eye: Geography, History, and Art” school program that uses works of art in “The Art of War” exhibit. […]
The Reward of Warring Valor
Among the many remarkable objects in Fort Ticonderoga’s collections is a rather small but very important French military medal, the Ordre royal et militaire de Saint-Louis. The Ordre de Saint-Louis was created in 1693 as an award for military merit and valor. It was awarded only to French Catholic officers who had served for at least […]
Becoming Soldiers in 1775
The citizen soldiers of Colonel Hinman’s regiment that garrisoned Fort Ticonderoga in the summer of 1775 arrived as well equipped and trained as one could expect for soldiers rapidly raised following the Lexington alarm. Arms, accouterments, and drill weren’t the only important aspects of being a soldier, as these and other colonial soldiers discovered during […]
Keeping Ticonderoga Secure and Healthy During the Winter of 1776-1777
“The Care of the Fortresses of Tyonderoga and Mount Independence being committed to you as commanding Officer…” begins a letter written by General Philip Schyler as he turns over command of Ticonderoga to Colonel Anthony Wayne in the fall of 1776 was recently acquired by Fort Ticonderoga through generous donor support. Written November 23, 1776, […]