History Comes Alive in the Adirondacks

The Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York are full of historical places. Waterways such as Lake George and Lake Champlain were focal points of power struggles between the French and the British. Well known figures of American history made their homes in the area. Add to that the history of two Winter Olympics and so much more and you have a wealth of historical value located in the Adirondacks. Here are just a few of the historical sites you'll find in the Adirondack Mountains, New York's largest park.

Lake George
Fort William Henry: Made even more famous by its role in James Fennimore Cooper's novel, The Last of the Mohicans, Fort William Henry sits at the southern tip of Lake George. In August of 1757, the fort was lost to French Forces led by the Marquis de Montcalm in the French and Indian War. The British forces were
allowed to leave the fort under a gentleman's agreement between Montcalm and British leader Lieutenant Colonel George Munro. Unhappy with the peaceful surrender, the natives attacked and killed many of the British forces and civilians while en route to their new destination.

Today, the fort is a museum and is open to the public from May through October. Tours are conducted every hour at the top of the hour and are led by a guide dressed in period clothing. While on the tour, they will explain about life and warfare of that time period.

After the tour, you can wander the museum and take a look at artifacts that have been recovered by archaeological digs of the area.

Visitor information can be found on their website.

Ticonderoga
Fort Ticonderoga: Having played a large role in both the French and Indian War and the Revolutionary War, Fort Ticonderoga in the Lake Champlain area, is loaded with historical value. It was the first offensive victory of the colonists in the American Revolution.

Restoration of the fort began in 1908 and was opened to the public in 1909. Open from early May to late October every year, the fort offers daily tours, musket demonstrations if the weather allows and activities for families and children. Admission information is available on their website.

Lake Placid
1932 and 1980 Lake Placid Winter Museum: Lake Placid was home to the 1932 Winter Olympics. Having been held during the Great Depression, only 306 athletes attended from 17 countries. There were 274 male athletes and 32 female athletes.

The 1980 Winter Olympics is where American pride hit an incredible high after the United States beat out the Russians in hockey. The 1980 Winter Olympics had better attendance with over 1200 athletes from 37 countries and placed Lake Placid on the map as the "winter sports capital of the world".

Today, the museum is open daily from 10am to 5pm. With many great exhibits, you can see video highlights, athlete's uniforms and equipment and learn about the history of the Olympic sites.

John Brown Farm State Historic Site: Also located in Lake Placid is the home and gravesite of famed abolitionist John Brown. Best known for his raid on Harper's Ferry, some may not know that he lived in the Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York.

Located off Route 73, the site is open from late May to October. The grounds are open year round.

Malone
Almonzo Wilder Homestead: Fans of "Little House on the Prairie" will recognize the name of Almonzo Wilder. The husband of Laura Ingalls Wilder and main character of her book Farmer Boy grew up on a farm near Malone in upstate New York.

Today, his homestead is open to the public from Memorial Day to Labor Day. It is open off season by appointment only. There is a museum which has antique tools that were used on a farm on Almonzo's childhood in addition to many other items. Souvenirs and all of Laura Ingalls Wilder's books can be bought
in the gift shop.

http://theforagerpress.com/adk/adkhistory.htm
http://www.fwhmuseum.com/visitors.html
http://www.fort-ticonderoga.org/history/brief_history.htm
http://lakeplacidcsd.net/lpcsweb/highschool/historyweb/gp2/homepage.html
http://www.orda.org/newsite/togo/museum.php
http://www.almanzowilderfarm.com/