“In sight of the ruins, a quarter mile distant…” Part 4
The story of a visit to Fort Ticonderoga in 1872. Part 4, Conclusion; there is always something new to discover! Seneca Ray Stoddard’s narrative of his visit to Ticonderoga and related stereo photographs provide unique documentation regarding how people traveled to the site and what could be seen as visitors explored the ruins. Occasionally, however, […]
William Ferris Pell, Horticulturalist
When William Ferris Pell purchased the 546-acre Garrison Grounds encompassing the ruins of Fort Ticonderoga in 1820, he preserved the remaining stonework of the Fort and began shaping the landscape surrounding the summer home he built nearby. Set in a pastoral landscape, the site was described as reminiscent of “park scenery of England; and the view of the ruins from […]
“In sight of the ruins, a quarter mile distant…” Part 3
The story of a visit to Fort Ticonderoga in 1872. Part 3, The ruins. After a short visit to the Fort Ticonderoga Hotel, Stoddard begins his tour of the Fort retracing the route, as he understood it to be, that Ethan Allen followed when capturing the Fort in 1775. In setting out on his […]
A New Year’s Resolution that Will be Fun to Keep
Many of us make New Year’s Resolution this time of year, only to discover by the end of January that most (or all) of them have fallen by the wayside. I’d like to encourage you to make a resolution that will be a pleasure to keep—why not try participating in one educational program at Fort […]
Raising Montcalm’s Cross
Young and old are fascinated by great battles in history. In addition to these generic themes of the roar of cannons, musketry, and grim statistics, every battle has a unique story. It is these unique stories that have filled the imaginations of armchair generals and casual history buffs alike for centuries. Fort Ticonderoga has been […]
Diana in the King’s Garden
In the center of the King’s Garden rests the bronze sculpture, The Young Diana, that depicts Roman mythology’s goddess of the hunt. Displayed on a pedestal in the reflecting pool, the statue is located on a cross-axis and serves as a focal point when viewed from the garden entrances. It was a gift from museum […]
“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 […]