Fort Ticonderoga will present its Fourth Annual “Material Matters: It’s in the Details” Seminar the weekend of January 25 & 26, 2014. This weekend event focuses on the material culture of the 18^th century and is intended for people with an interest in learning more about objects of the 18^th century and what they can tell us about history. “Material Matters” takes place in the Deborah Clarke Mars Education Center at Fort Ticonderoga and is open by pre-registration only.

“A panel of material culture experts comes to Fort Ticonderoga for the weekend to share their knowledge of 18^th-century material culture in a series of presentations,” said Rich Strum, Fort Ticonderoga Director of Education. “Designed for those who want a deeper understanding of the everyday objects that help tell the story of life and the contests for control of North America during the 18^th century, the weekend’s informal approach enables attendees to interact with presenters and provides an opportunity to examine 18^th-century objects up close.”

“Material Matters” Seminar Topics

Seminar topics include:

• Objects from the early months of the American Revolution by Joel Boyh from Skinner Auctioneers and Appraisers
• 18^th-century British sailor clothing by Matthew Brenckle from the USS Constitution Museum
• 17^th– and 18^th-century Canadian headwear by independent scholar Ryan Clark
•  18^th-century military entrenching tools by Fort Ticonderoga’s Curator of Collections Chris Fox
• Soldiers shoes in the Champlain Valley by the Fort’s Director of Interpretation Stuart Lilie
• New England provincial firearms by Fort Ticonderoga’s Artificer Shoemaker Shaun Pekar
• And 18^th-century tents by independent scholar Gregory Theberge

Teachers Can Apply for Seminar Scholarship

Since 2001, Fort Ticonderoga has provided scholarships for 111 teachers from across the country to attend its seminars and conferences. Teachers interested in applying for a scholarship to attend “Material Matters” should download an application at www.fort-ticonderoga.org by clicking on “Explore and Learn” and selecting the “Educators” tab.

Applications are due by December 10^th. Successful applicants will receive free registration, two box lunches, and an opportunity to dine with the presenters at a private dinner the Saturday evening of the Seminar. Contact Rich Strum, Director of Education, at (518) 585-6370 if you have questions.

Open to the Public

“Material Matters” is open to the general public by pre-registration. The cost is $120 if registering before December 20^th; $145 after that date (members of the Friends of Fort Ticonderoga receive a discount, as do students and young museum professionals).

Registration forms can be downloaded from the Fort’s website at www.fort-ticonderoga.org under the “Explore and Learn” tab by selecting “Life Long Learning” on the drop down menu and then clicking on “Material Matters: It’s in the Details.” A printed copy is also available upon request by contacting Rich Strum, Director of Education, at (518) 585-6370.

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