For 10,000 years, Native Americans hunted, fished and traded in this region. In 1609 Samuel de Champlain was the first European to explore the lake. This year Lake Champlain is celebrating the 400th anniversary of the discovery of our great lake. We hope that you will join us and visit where it all started.

Samuel de Champlain

Click Here to learn more about the French explorer.

The annual Festival of Nations joins two states’ historic sites, Chimney Point in Vermont and Crown Point in New York, to celebrate the multi-national historical influence on this significant Lake Champlain location. The three day event will be held September 18-20 in 2009 and will include a variety of entertainment, education and activities for everyone.

On Saturday, September 19th, the Festival will host the Champlain Celebration honoring French explorer, Samuel de Champlain’s exploration of the lake that bears his name 400 years ago; a Signature Event of New York State’s Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial. This full day of activities focusing on nature, history, and culture highlights the importance of the 400th anniversary of Samuel de Champlain’s 1609 journey on the lake that now bears his name. The Champlain Celebration at Crown Point features the themes of Celebrating Discovery and Connecting People With Nature to recognize the incredible historic and natural resources of the Champlain Valley and surrounding Adirondack Park. That day will offer a rededication and relighting of the Champlain Memorial Lighthouse, an unveiling of the recently refurbished Auguste Rodin sculpture, a gathering of historical maritime vessels, a performance of the Merchant Marine Maritime Band and fireworks at day’s end.

The festival is co-hosted by NYS DEC Reservation Campground and the Lake Champlain Bridge. A minor admission charge may be required at some of the events. For detailed information contact: Vermont’s Chimney Point State Historic Site, 802-759-2412 or New York’s Crown Point State Historic Site, 518-597-4666.

Quadricentennial Events and Celebrations are scheduled throughout 2009 ~ Click Here for the LakeChamplain Region Events Calendar

Historic Attractions & Points of Interest

Crown Point Monument & Lighthouse

Crown Point State Historic Site

Fort Ticonderoga

Fort Ticonderoga from atop Mount Defiance

Click Here for additional Lake Champlain Region Attractions

Heritage & Culture E-Brochures

Links
Lake Champlain Visitors Bureau - 1-866TheLake
Chimney Point State Historic Site - Vermont - 802-759-2412
Lake Champlain Maritime Museum - Basin Harbor, Vermont
Lake Champlain Underwater Historic Preserves - 518-897-1200
1812 Homestead Farm & Museum - Willsboro - 518-963-4071
Adsit Log Cabin - Willsboro - 518-963-4598
Adirondack History Center Museum - Elizabethtown - 518-873-6466
Hancock House (Ticonderoga Historical Society) - 518-585-7868
The Penfield Homestead Museum and Ironville Historic District - 518-597-3804
Iron Center Museum - Port Henry - 518-546-3587
Ticonderoga Heritage Museum - 518-585-2696

Lakes to Locks Passage / Lake Champlain Region

Towns along Lake Champlain
Town of Keeseville
Town of Willsboro - 518-963-8668
Town of Essex - 518-963-4287
Town of Westport - 518-962-4419
  Westport Chamber of Commerce - 518-962-8383
Town of Moriah / Port Henry - 518-946-8631
   Moriah Chamber of Commerce
Town of Crown Point
Town of Ticonderoga - 518-585-6265
  Ticonderoga Chamber of Commerce - 518-585-6619