Fort Ticonderoga

250 years ago today—May 16, 1775—Ticonderoga and Crown Point had been in American hands for nearly a week. Farther south, so was Skenesborough, a prosperous settlement founded by career British Army officer Philip Skene. Skene was at sea returning from a visit to England when the Americans captured Skenesborough, but his son, Major Andrew Skene, and his daughters, Katherine and Mary Ann Margaret, were captured. So were the town’s industrial fixtures, including grist mills, saw mills, an iron foundry, and a shipyard that would become vital for the American navy on Lake Champlain. In a letter written on May 16 to the Connecticut General Assembly, Captain Elisha Phelps discusses the management of the newly-captured town.

“Major Skeen Estate we have put into the Care of Capt. Noah Lee, a man of Good [Character] and Capable of taking Care of the Business well”, Phelps writes. He considers the welfare of the town’s residents, stating that “the Iron work must be Carried on for the Benifet of the people here”. Not all the residents of Skenesborough were trustworthy, though, particularly Skene’s business agent, John Brooks. “It would Not Do by No means to have mr Brook Stay heare as he was Looked upon to be a [bigger] Innemy to his Contry than Major Skeen, and tis an Easy mattor to Send an [Indian] to Cannada and Inform them all our Scheems and plans”.

Phelps also worried about Philip Skene’s schemes and plans. He writes that he has heard that Skene has married a rich woman in England, that he has a commission to govern Fort Ticonderoga and Crown Point, and that he is bringing 1,000 men with him to Skenesborough. Only one of these rumors was true—Skene had been commissioned as lieutenant governor of Ticonderoga and Crown Point—but Phelps, who had no way of assessing the truth of the news, was concerned. He recommended that “Not Less than three thousand men be here [immediately] and to push on to Saint Johns & Kannada”. Phelps’ request would be indirectly answered that fall by the American invasion of Canada.

Learn more about Phelps’ letter (object ID MS.6007) on the Ticonderoga Online Collections database: https://fortticonderoga.catalogaccess.com/archives/30210

Rewatch the livestream of the 250th Anniversary of the first American victory of the American Revolution: The Capture of Fort Ticonderoga!

Just weeks after the Battles of Lexington and Concord, a small American force led by Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold launched a surprise attack on Fort Ticonderoga. The British garrison surrendered without a fight. The capture gave the Americans much needed artillery, which were transported to Boston by Henry Knox that winter and used to drive the British out of the city in 1776.

During the vignette, watch as Ethan Allen, Benedict Arnold, and the Green Mountain Boys rush out of the night with patriotic shouts and the war cry of “No Quarter!” See this remote British garrison surprised, asleep with their families in the quarters. Listen as British officers try to buy time and attempt to negotiate a peaceful surrender with the famous and infamous Benedict Arnold and Ethan Allen. *Livestreaming began at 8pm, fast forward to 46:00 to begin the vignette with a performance by the Fort Ticonderoga Fife & Drum.

WATCH THE EVENING VIGNETTE HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wYVxR6dv9I

Immerse yourself in the events leading up to May 10, 1775, with our REAL TIME REVOLUTION™ playlist on YouTube. Experience the historic drama through high definition 4K videos, including The Race to Ticonderoga and The Expedition to Ticonderoga, which bring to life the daring strategies of Ethan Allen, Benedict Arnold, and the Green Mountain Boys. This curated series offers a vivid portrayal of the moments that set the stage for America`s first offensive victory.

🎥 Dive into history now with the REAL TIME REVOLUTION™ Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLt3625dFL4hkdGP8mJJp23wNsyB5zoXwF
🎥 youtube.com/@FortTiconderogaNY

Remember the sacrifices of fallen American soldiers at Fort Ticonderoga this Memorial Day Weekend May 24-25, 2025 and discover how the American Army in 1775 defended liberty at this iconic site.

Join a hive of activity as newly drafted American soldiers ply their civilian trades and help rebuild this military outpost. Throughout the weekend, visitors will witness the labor of liberty as Fort Ticonderoga staff portraying New England militia bring to life this defining story through military drill, weapon demonstrations, historic trades, hauling timber with oxen and repairing the fort they just arrived at.

Learn more: https://fortticonderoga.org/news/remember-the-sacrifices-of-fallen-american-soldiers-at-fort-ticonderoga-this-memorial-day-weekend-may-24-25-2025/

On this day 250 years ago—May 12, 1775—Ethan Allen was in command at Fort Ticonderoga, but few people knew it. News of major events could move quickly through the colonies on horseback, but without intentional coordination it often moved slowly, especially in sparsely populated regions like the Champlain Valley. By the time Allen sat down on May 12, two days after capturing the fort, to write this letter to Connecticut governor Jonathan Trumbull, Trumbull had no idea that the plan his government had authorized was such a success.

Allen opens his letter grandly, telling Trumbull, “I make you a Present of a Major a Captain and Two Lieuts in the regular Establishment of George the Third”. This “Present” included Captain William Delaplace, former British commander of Ticonderoga, and Major Andrew Skene, who had been captured at his father Philip’s estate at Skenesborough at the south end of Lake Champlain. Allen hopes that his prisoners will be useful “as ransoms for some of our Friends at Boston”.

Major Skene was not the most important prize gained from the capture of Skenesborough. The party that took Skenesborough also captured Philip Skene’s schooner, and Allen had plans for it. “I Expect in Ten days Time to have it rigged man’d and arm’d with 6 or 8 Pieces of Canon… I Purpose to make an Attack on the arm’d sloop of George the Third which is Now Crusing on Lake Champlain… I Hope in a Short Time to be authorised to acquaint your Honour that Lake Champlain & the fortifications thereon are subjected to the Colonies.”

While capturing Ticonderoga was a victory, keeping control of it would be a more difficult task. Outfitting a fleet of American ships to gain naval control of Lake Champlain was an important step. Reinforcements were also needed, and Allen writes, “I Depend upon Your Honours Aid and Assistance in a Situation so Contiguous to Canada”. Allen signs himself “at Present Commander of Ticonda[roga]”. At that moment, Ticonderoga was in his hands, but the real work to keep it was just beginning.

View the Allen letter (object ID MS.1933) on the Ticonderoga Online Collections database: https://fortticonderoga.catalogaccess.com/archives/29970

The fort is now American!