Featuring Dramatic Reading of the Declaration of Independence
Fort Ticonderoga invites you to experience the sights and sounds of the American Army at Ticonderoga during the Sound of 1776 Living History Event August 6-7. From historic trades and weapons demonstrations to living history vignettes and music performances, discover how the beats of drums and the sounds of fifes translated orders to nearly 10,000 soldiers that lived and fought for liberty at Ticonderoga.
In addition to a full line-up of activities throughout the day including guided tours and demonstrations, listen to a dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence near the same day it was actually read to the troops here in 1776. Witness the first time soldiers at Ticonderoga heard the immortal words of independence and discover what this meant for soldiers on the front lines of the Northern Continental Army in 1776.
“Visitors will step into the iconic fort during this special event and witness our nation’s fight for freedom in the year 1776,” said Beth L. Hill, Fort Ticonderoga President and CEO. “March along with our fifes and drums and discover the importance of music in coordinating the daily orders for the American troops. Enjoy patriotic concerts and savor the beauty of one of the world’s most historic and beautiful places.”
About the Ticonderoga Fifes and Drums:
Fort Ticonderoga formed its first Fife and Drum Corps 1926, on the eve of the 150th anniversary celebration of American Independence. The Corps performed at Fort Ticonderoga each summer until the beginning of World War II. When the World’s Fair came to New York City in 1939, the Fife and Drum Corps was a featured performance on May 10th, Fort Ticonderoga Day, celebrating the 164th anniversary of the capture of the Fort by Ethan Allen, Benedict Arnold, and the Green Mountain Boys.
In 1973, in preparation for the bicentennial, Fort Ticonderoga revived the Fife and Drum Corps to perform daily during the museum campus’ summer season. The Fifes and Drums has performed every year since, and has been a featured performance at many major public events, including the 1980 Lake Placid Winter Olympic Games, the Christening of the US Navy Guided Missile Cruiser USS Ticonderoga CG-47, and several Evacuation Day parades in Boston, Massachusetts.
The Ticonderoga Fifes and Drums will perform concerts Tuesday-Sunday through the end of August.
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, the 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. Tickets are buy-one-day get the next day FREE. 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. © The Fort Ticonderoga Association. 2022 All Rights Reserved.