Immerse yourself in the epic history and incredible natural beauty at Fort Ticonderoga with richly informative and entertaining guided specialty tours this summer. Thrill at the power of artillery during Guns by Night tour; discover the History Within the Walls in the 1826 Historic Pavilion house tour; walk in the steps of great generals during the Armchair General tour; and discover the legends of the past while taking part in the Garrison Ghost Tour.

All prices are in addition to Fort Ticonderoga admission and advanced purchase is required. Space is limited for tours. To learn more about our specialty tours visit www.fortticonderoga.org or call 518-585-2821.

Armchair General Tour

Climb aboard Fort Ticonderoga’s ground transportation to approach the tactical challenges faced by generals such as Abercromby, Burgoyne, Amherst, and Gates. Led by Fort Ticonderoga’s Interpretive Department staff, play out the general’s decisions as you tour the historic hills surrounding Ticonderoga and place yourself in their shoes to see if they played their hands well as they vied for Ticonderoga – the key to the continent. Tour stops include Fort Ticonderoga, Carillon Battlefield, Mount Hope, and Mount Defiance.

This 90-minute tour is scheduled for July 8, 15, 22 and 29; and August 5, 12, 19, and 26. Tours begin at 6:30 pm and tickets are $65 per person.

Fort Ticonderoga’s Guns By Night

Experience the flash of musketry and roar of cannon fire by night in this unique 90-minute tour of demonstration of 18th-century guns, big and small! Explore the workings of the firelocks and cannon that armed the many garrison of Fort Ticonderoga and influenced the shape and strategic importance of this important frontier citadel. The tour concludes with a dramatic nighttime demonstration of weapons that you will not see anywhere else!

The Guns By Night is scheduled for July 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31; and August 7, 14, 21, and 28. Tours begin at 8 pm and tickets are $35 per person.

History Within the Walls: An Exploration of Fort Ticonderoga’s First Private Dwelling

Join Fort Ticonderoga’s Curator of Collections for a rare look inside the building where the preservation of Fort Ticonderoga began and learn about the exciting new research that is challenging long-held assumptions about the building’s past. Built in the 1820s and 1830s, the home is recognized as one of America’s most important historic houses and is a critical part of Fort Ticonderoga’s preservation and restoration story. The tour examines the building’s evolution and history chronicling its many changes over the past 188 years and explores the structural story within the walls that have given new clues into its past. The 2 hour tour begins at 1 pm at the Guest Service Desk at the Log House Welcome Center.

Tours are scheduled for July1, 8, 15, 22, and 29; and August 5, 12, and 26. Tickets are $35 per person.

Fort Ticonderoga’s Garrison Ghost Tours

Visit Fort Ticonderoga by night and venture into the darkness to learn about the unexplained experiences reported by staff and guests over the past century and decide for yourself if they are connected to the Fort’s remarkable past. A museum staff person will serve as your guide on this 90-minute exploration of the Fort’s darkest and reportedly most active areas and provide a rare insight into a unique and not well understood aspect of Ticonderoga’s history.

Tours are scheduled for July 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30; August 6, 13, 27; and October 10 and 24. Tickets are $40 per person.

Related articles

• Fort Ticonderoga 2014 Season Begins May 10 (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
• Fort Ticonderoga Receives Prestigious Education Grant (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
• Fort Ticonderoga’s King’s Garden Opens May 24 (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)