Grant Supports New School Program at Fort Ticonderoga

A shoemaker works in Fort Ticonderoga’s Historic Trades Shop. A recent grant supports a new school program, “The Artificer’s Apprentice,” at the Fort this fall and next spring. (Credit: Fort Ticonderoga)

Fort Ticonderoga launches a new program for schools later this fall with support from the Lake Placid Education Foundation. In “The Artificer’s Apprentice,” student groups learn about trades and mechanical arts that helped support the armies at Fort Ticonderoga during the 18^th century.

Program Emphasizes Critical Thinking Skills through Mechanical Arts Activities

“This program offers students a unique opportunity to be at Fort Ticonderoga in the traditionally quiet season and to work closely with our talented historic trades staff,” noted Rich Strum, Director of Education. “Spending time with our artificers, working side by side with them, and learning how to work with the materials is an experience that will have a lasting impact on participating students.”

Utilizing the Fort’s historic trades program, “The Artificer’s Apprentice” gives students a hands-on, immersive opportunity to learn about the local and global economy that supplied the raw materials necessary to adequately supply the soldiers at a frontier fortification like Ticonderoga.

Rotating through four stations, students learn about the origins of the various leathers and cloths required to make shoes and clothing for the soldiers. Picking up needle and thread, students work alongside Fort Ticonderoga’s artificers as they produce the clothing and shoes worn by the Continental soldiers during the early years of the American Revolution.

“Support from the Lake Placid Education Foundation provides important funding to offer this new program for students from throughout the region,” said Beth Hill, President and CEO of Fort Ticonderoga. “As we continue to expand our educational programs, support like this enables us to serve our mission by presenting high-quality, programs that promote inquiry and critical-thinking skills while providing one-of-a-kind premier experiences for students.”

The program is available on select Wednesdays and Thursdays from November 6^th-21^st, 2013, and March 12^th-April 10^th, 2014. Advance reservations are required. Interested teachers can make reservations with Nancy LaVallie, Group Tour Coordinator, at 518-585-2821.

An Outreach Educational Program

“The Artificer’s Apprentice” is one of several programs designed for students and teachers available at Fort Ticonderoga. Also available October through April is the school outreach program “A Soldier’s Life at Fort Ticonderoga.” This program brings a Continental soldier into classrooms around northern New York and western Vermont and explores the necessary items needed to supply an army at Fort Ticonderoga, using geography, history, mathematics, and language arts skills.

Funding from several foundations and businesses help underwrite the costs for schools in selected areas. Contact Rich Strum, Director of Education, at rstrum@fort-ticonderoga.org to learn more.

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Celebrate Fall at Fort Ticonderoga’s Heritage, Harvest, & Horse Festival (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)

About Fort Ticonderoga

Located on Lake Champlain in the beautiful 6 million acre Adirondack Park, Fort Ticonderoga is a not-for-profit historic site and museum that ensures that present and future generations learn from the struggles, sacrifices, and victories that shaped the nations of North America and changed world history.

Visit www.FortTiconderoga.org or call 518-585-2821 for a full list of ongoing programs, admission prices, and current hours. Fort Ticonderoga is located at 100 Fort Ti Road, Ticonderoga, New York.