“1775 British Garrison” Living History Event takes place Saturday, March 19

Experience Fort Ticonderoga on the eve of the American Revolution as British soldiers and their families live in this peacetime fort on the frontier at Fort Ticonderoga’s upcoming event, “1775 British Garrison,” on Saturday March 19, from 10 am – 4 pm. In this one-day living history event, visitors will discover British garrison life in March 1775, two months before Ticonderoga would be thrust into war once more.

What was it like to be a British soldier, soldier’s wife, or child at Ticonderoga? Discover how the British Army was both prepared and unprepared to fight for control of Ticonderoga – the key to the continent. Tours highlighting Ticonderoga’s defining role in the Revolutionary War will be presented throughout the day. Admission to the “1775 British Garrison” event is $10 per person and payable at the gate. Members of Fort Ticonderoga, Ticonderoga Resident Ambassador Pass holders, and children 4 years and under are free. For more details call 518-585-2821.

“Twelve of Fort Ticonderoga’s twenty-two years of military service were at peace, keeping a watch over Lake Champlain,” said Stuart Lilie, Fort Ticonderoga’s Senior Director of Interpretation. “This event will bring to life the stories of soldiers guarding this epic fort. Guests will have the opportunity to witness soldiering in peacetime as they learn about the men of the 26th foot and their wives and families who made their homes inside the crumbling walls of the old fort. From blanket coats, to fur caps and mittens, discover the special clothing and equipment for service in Canada and along Lake Champlain. This event is an opportunity to tour through the reconstructed Fort Ticonderoga of today and see what made this fortification so vulnerable to capture by the Green Mountain Boys in May of 1775.”

Visitor Schedule

10:00 AM Fort Ticonderoga Opens to Visitors

10:15 AM Key to the Continent Tour: A Captain’s Guard (Begins at the Large American Flag)
Between the battles of the French & Indian War and the beginning of the American Revolution there was peacetime Ticonderoga. From destruction to construction and disrepair, discover how French Fort Carillon became Fort Ticonderoga. Plot the political developments that turned Fort Ticonderoga from a protector of New Englanders into their target.

11:00 AM Musket Demonstration (Fort Demonstration Area)
How did the British Army change its drill and training after the French & Indian War?
Meet a soldier of the 26th Foot in 1775 with his musket and bayonet. Go beyond loading and firing to discuss what traditions remained and what tactical innovations were standard on the eve of the Revolutionary War.

1:15 PM State of the Forts Tour (Begins at the Large American Flag)
Join Assistant Military Programs Supervisor, Nicholas Spadone, on a walking tour of passages and bomb-proofs for an inside look at the Fortifications of Ticonderoga. Discover the decay that appalled British engineers and vexed the garrison trying to maintain the walls and ramparts.

2:00 PM Musket Demonstration (Fort Demonstration Area)
How did the British Army change its drill and training after the French & Indian War? Meet a soldier of the 26th Foot in 1775 with his musket and bayonet. Go beyond loading and firing to discuss what traditions remained and what tactical innovations were standard on the eve of the Revolutionary War.

3:00 PM Key to the Continent Tour: A Captain’s Guard (Begins at the Large American Flag)
Between the battles of the French & Indian War and the beginning of the American Revolution there was peacetime Ticonderoga. From destruction to construction and disrepair, discover how French Fort Carillon became Fort Ticonderoga. Plot the political developments that turned Fort Ticonderoga from a protector of New Englanders into their target.

What to Do and See All Day 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Barracks or Apartments? (Ground Floor Soldiers’ Barracks)
Ticonderoga’s barrack space was built to house 400 soldiers. In March of 1775 it was occupied by merely eighteen soldiers and a similar number of women and children. View the barracks divided up into apartment spaces, and discover the work required to keep each room clean and orderly.

A Soldier’s Duty (Ground Floor Soldiers’ Barracks & Officers’ Barracks)
Each soldier was personally responsible for taking care of his clothing, arms, and accoutrements. Discuss with soldiers the daily maintenance of gear, and the different materials used in cleaning such as oils, blackball, and pipe clay.

Officer’s Quarters (Second floor of the Officers’ Barracks)
Step inside the quarters of Captains William Delaplace, Ticonderoga’s Commandant, and learn of the luxuries within. From beds to brandy, learn about officers’ duties and comforts. See how an officer and gentleman was also a businessman.

Provisions Store (Ground floor of the Officers’ Barracks)
Even a small garrison needed supplies to sustain them through the winter. Search the store to find supplies such as dry goods, hardware, textiles, and equipment. Watch as Royal Artillerymen tend to the cannons and munitions of the fort. Kids and families, grab a worksheet to see if you can correctly identify all the items in the public store!

“Of Messing and the Advantages attending it.” (Ground Floor of the Officer’s Barracks)
Every barracks room had a hearth. See how the massive stone fireplaces of an old stone fort were used to make meals of rations. What could a British soldier and his family expect for rations from the Army? How was this part of the care of an army flung across the far corners of an empire?

Followers (Ground Floor of Soldiers’ Barracks and Officers’ Barracks)
Meet some of the women and children who stayed with their families at Ticonderoga in 1775. Discover the nursing, laundering, and other jobs that kept them employed with the army in war and peace.