Ticonderoga marks the Fourth of July with one of the largest Independence Day celebrations in the region. What was it like in 1775, a year before the United States broke free of England? Fort Ticonderoga will try to answer that question with activities this July 4th.
Ticonderoga marks the Fourth of July with one of the largest Independence Day celebrations in the region. What was it like in 1775, a year before the United States broke free of England?
Fort Ticonderoga will try to answer that question with activities this July 4th.
“Independence Day strikes a patriotic chord in Americans today, but in 1775 complete independence from England was still hotly debated and yet to be seen,” said Beth Hill, Fort Ticonderoga executive director.
A series of living history events at Fort Ticonderoga July 4th will take a look at 1775.
“Join Fort Ticonderoga this Independence Day to walk in the marching steps of newly-formed Continental soldiers at Fort Ticonderoga in 1775 as historic interpreters demonstrate weapons of independence and explain the daily military duties of soldiers garrisoning the fort,” Hill said. “Explore family programs that highlight the fight for independence and listen to patriotic performances by Fort Ticonderoga’s Fife and Drums.
“Come experience the stories of the men who helped transform America from colonies into the United States a year prior to the signing of the Declaration of Independence,” she said. “Be in the moment at Fort Ticonderoga as America began to take shape.”
Activities will get under way at 9:30 a.m. when the Fort Ticonderoga Fife’s and Drums Corps raises the flag.
There will be guided tours of the fortress at 10:15 a.m., 1:15 p.m. and 3:45 p.m. The tours will focus on the fort’s role in the American Revolution.
At 11:15 a.m. and 2 p.m. there will be demonstrations of muskets used in the War for Independence.
The fife and drum corps will lead marches to the King’s Garden at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. The corps will demonstrate the martial music that communicated orders and regulated soldiers fighting in the American Revolution.
There will be tours of the King’s Garden at noon and 3 p.m. People will have an opportunity to see the colonial revival garden and learn about the Ticonderoga landscape in 1775.
There will be concert by the fife and drum corps at 12:30 p.m. featuring favorite tunes from the American Revolution.
Soldiers of 1775 will discuss their service and ideas about independence at 12:45 and 3 p.m. in the soldier’s barracks and officer’s barracks.
At 4:30 p.m. the day’s events will conclude with the “Striking of the Colors.” An armed honor guard will lower the flag.
For more details visit www.fortticonderoga.org or call 585-2821.