Dr. Nassaney and I spent the weekend of May 18, 19
and 20th at America’s Fort, Fort Ticonderoga. A weekend filled with
a variety of spectacles including many fascinating presentations from visiting
scholars, hobbyists and war historians from around the United States, Canada
and beyond.
The
conference was the Seventeenth Annual War College of the seven Years’ War, and
it attracted by all accounts a record turnout. For the first time in eleven
years, the event was free of rain and thunderstorms, Dr. Nassaney, and I were
delighted, because the panoramic view looking out from the battlements of the
fort was nothing less than awe-inspiring.
The crowning experience for us was the unveiling of
the brand new exhibit in the museum at the fort. An incredible collection of
French and English firearms dating from the early eighteenth century through
the Revolutionary War, including rare officer sabers and several pistols and
other military paraphernalia from the period. This fantastic exhibit was built
around the personal collection of Mr. and Mrs. Cook, great friends and supporters
of Fort St. Joseph. Through his years of collection, Mr. Cook had accumulated
an amazing display of artifacts that were actually used in the period. It was a
great opportunity to actually see these weapons, Dr. Nassaney and I had a
wonderful time. We made valuable contacts and listened to informative
dissertations and demonstrations.
Saturday night we were treated to a reenactment of
the forts capture by American forces on May 10, 1775, led by Ethan Allen and
his Green Mountain Boys and the infamous Benedict Arnold. The whole raid and
capture lasted barely nine minutes and was quite interesting to learn the
various details of the event that never make the history books.
Overall, Dr. Nassaney and I had a great time; we
listened to great lectures, saw wonderful exhibits and enjoyed truly
spectacular views looking out over Lake Champlain from the walls of Fort
Ticonderoga.
Scott MacPherson
