Category: Ticonderoga

Fort Ticonderoga. Photo credit Richard Timberlake.

The Lake Placid CVB/Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (LPCVB/ROOST) has awarded Fort Ticonderoga the 2011 Tourism Marketing Award. The award was presented January 12 in Lake Placid at a gathering of tourism industry peers and elected officials.

The Tourism Marketing Award is given to a group or individual who has produced or launched an innovative tourism marketing product or initiative. Fort Ticonderoga was named the 2011 winner for its America’s Fort branding and expanded audience targeting through the creation of family activities, special events, re-enactments and the internationally acclaimed Art of War exhibit.

The award was presented by Justin Smith, Chair of the LPCVB/ROOST board of directors. “As part of its strategic marketing plan in 2011, Fort Ticonderoga launched an initiative and rebranding effort that associated the Fort with its significant history and the experience visitors will have there today,” said Smith during the presentation. “Aptly identified now as America’s Fort, the historic site has also extensively broadened its programmatic offerings to result in a premiere tourism experience.”

Beth Hill, Fort Ticonderoga’s Executive Director, said “Fort Ticonderoga is honored to receive the recognition for its newly developed America’s Fort brand and related programs.” Hill said, “The America’s Fort brand is intended to represent the site’s extraordinary story and to build increased visibility for one of North America’s most beautiful and defining historic sites.”

Fort Ticonderoga’s 2011 marketing strategic plan, led by Albany marketing firm Brawn Media, incorporated the America’s Fort brand in all of its messaging including TV and radio commercials, online advertising, news releases, and all marketing collateral.

In 2012 Fort Ticonderoga will unveil its new weapons exhibit Bullets & Blades: The Weapons of America’s Colonial Wars and Revolution, numerous new programs, and major special events. Visitors will be immersed in the Fort’s tumultuous events of 1775 through daily programs including the Fort’s new historic trades initiative which will include shoemaking and military tailoring. Visit www.fortticonderoga.org for event and program details. Fort Ticonderoga offers special programs and events throughout the year and opens for the daily visitation for the summer season on May 18, 2012.

Fort Ticonderoga volunteer BR Delaney portrays a North East Woodland Native at a recent Fort Ticonderoga event. Stuart Lilie, Director of Interpretation at Fort Ticonderoga, will talk about Native Americans and the Patriot Cause as part of the “Fort Fever Series” at Fort Ticonderoga this winter. Photo credit George Jones.

Fort Ticonderoga introduces a new series of Sunday afternoon programs running from January through April. Presented by Fort Ticonderoga staff, the programs cost $10 each and are free for Members of the Friends of Fort Ticonderoga.

The program begins with a “Winter Landscape Snowshoe Trek” led by Curator of Landscape Heidi Karkoski on January 22. Explore the Fort Ticonderoga grounds and learn how to identify trees based on their winter (leaf-less) characteristics. Bring your own snowshoes (or hiking boots if conditions require).

On February 12, Curator of Collections Chris Fox will give attendees the chance to examine several original 18th-cenutry weapons from the Fort’s extensive collection in a program titled “The Roar of Musketry and the Cracking of Rifles: An Introduction to the Weapons of the 18th Century.”

In “Native Americans and the Patriot Cause” on March 25, Director of Interpretation Stuart Lilie will discuss the roles of Native groups that sided with the colonists during the American Revolution.

On April 22, Director of Education Rich Strum will talk about “Henry Knox: Beyond the Noble Train of Artillery.” Learn about the fascinating life of Henry Knox, from his first job in a book shop at age nine through his Revolutionary War career to his role as the nation’s first Secretary of War.

The Fort Fever Series is one of several new education initiatives at Fort Ticonderoga in 2012! You can learn more about these new programs, including Material Matters Seminar, the Garden & Landscape Symposium, and the Conference on Lake George & Lake Champlain, by visiting the Fort’s website at www.FortTiconderoga.org and selecting the “Explore and Learn” button.