Commemorations for the 250th anniversary of the American War for Independence are underway at Fort Ticonderoga. The museum has started developing plans and exploring partnerships at the state and national levels to mark this historic anniversary. Through exhibits, events, publications, and programs, Fort Ticonderoga seeks to increase access and awareness and expand educational impact related to the monumental history of the complex struggle to achieve independence.
These efforts took physical form recently as Fort Ticonderoga joined state and national representatives from the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) to dedicate an America 250 Patriots Marker on the grounds of Fort Ticonderoga. This is the first marker of its kind in New York, part of a national initiative for the DAR to commemorate those who fought for independence.
“For Fort Ticonderoga, it is the newest in a long line of plaques, tablets, and markers stretching back to the centennial of American independence in the 1800s,” said Dr. Matthew Keagle, Fort Ticonderoga Curator. “This marker commemorates the service and sacrifice of men and women from across North America and the world.”
“We applaud Fort Ticonderoga for its ongoing preservation of this historic place in American history. We were honored to add a DAR America 250 Patriot Marker to its grounds – a marker that will become part of a coast-to-coast trail memorializing the men and women who achieved American independence,” said Denise Doring VanBuren, President General of the National Society of the DAR. “We are exceptionally pleased to honor their courage and their achievements on the grounds of a key military fortification during the American Revolution and to partner with the vibrant Fort Ticonderoga Association to continue in this important work.”
Representatives at the unveiling included Patrice Birner, State Regent, New York State Organization National Society Daughters of the American Revolution; Denise VanBuren, President General, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution; and Laura Kessler, Historian General, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.
“The New York State Organization, NSDAR is proud to partner with Fort Ticonderoga to recognize the men and women who achieved American Independence as we prepare to celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding and commemorate the events that shaped the United States,” said Patrice Powley Birner, State Regent 2019-2022 New York State Organization, NSDAR. “We salute the Fort Ticonderoga Association for its outstanding historic preservation efforts and engaging educational programs, and it is an honor to sponsor a DAR America 250 Patriot Marker to be included in these endeavors.”
Information and updates on Fort Ticonderoga’s 250th will be available here: https://www.fortticonderoga.org/learn-and-explore/ticonderoga-250th/
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.
Photo: Credit and Copyright Fort Ticonderoga.