Crown Point 
State Historic Site

518-597-3666

New York State Office of Parks, 
Recreation and Historic Preservation
Saratoga-Capital Region

During the last three years the special events held at Crown Point State Historic Site have focused upon the Seven Years War with an annual encampment and small arms demonstrations held in August. This year two special events have been added to the schedule, including an American Revolutionary War British encampment in May and a New York Continental Line encampment in September. Next year, in March, a Native American event has been scheduled to recreate the annual sugar making activities of the natives.

All these activities are part of an effort to provide a venue for a variety of period interests as well as an opportunity for the public to be made more aware of the significance of this site in our colonial history. To amplify this concern, a new exhibit will be installed in the visitors’ center. It will be composed of artifacts discovered in the areas of both the French and English civilian habitations. The exhibit will focus on the importance of the civilian occupation and contribution to the military establishments.

Fort St. Frederic was constructed by the French in 1734. They had previously occupied what is now called Chimney Point around 1731. A small wooden stockade fort was built there and was the principle fortification until the completion of Fort St. Frederic. The French occupied the Lake Champlain region north of Crown Point until 1759 when they retreated to the Richelieu River forts in the face of Jeffery, Lord Amherst’s advancing army. The "citadel" at Fort St. Frederic was blown up by the French at this time. Amherst’s army almost immediately began construction of what was to become the largest British fort in America. With the conclusion of the Seven Years War in 1763, the military significance of such a large post diminished. It became a base used primarily for policing the settlements nearby. In fact, one incident found in the Gage papers describes the efforts made at discovering an illegal still near Fort Edward, from which both soldiers and Native Americans obtained alcoholic refreshment and was blamed for the rude handling of nearby settlers.

In 1773 a chimney fire spread out of control, burning down the armory and the roofs of the other barracks, as well as causing the powder magazine to blow up and destroying the wooden parapets. Subsequently, the military occupation was limited to the three outer works, the Grenadier Redoubt (now the site of the Light House/Champlain Memorial), the Light Infantry Redoubt, and Gage’s Redoubt. The remains of the latter two are still evident. Except for a brief time in 1775-76 when the site was under American control, the British Army controlled Crown Point until after the American Revolution. In fact, a British officer notes the visit of George Washington in 1783.

The first parcel of land to come into the possession of New York State in 1910 and was the land upon which the ruins of Fort St. Frederic and His Majesty’s fort at Crown Point lie. The state has since acquired additional land to protect this important site, totaling approximately 360 acres, part of which is used as a public campground.

Re-enactors are encouraged to visit and are offered the privilege of setting up camp here if on the way to or from another event. Advance notification is requested and anyone interested in staying is asked to remain in period attire while here. 

Contact Mr. William Farrar, Site Manager, Crown Point State Historic Site, RD #1, Box 219, Crown Point, NY 12928, 518-597-4666, or William.Farrar@oprhp.state.ny.us or Thomas Nesbitt at
 518-597-3666. 

 New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

[Summer 2004 Events]       [Crown Point Field Bake Oven]
[Champlain Memorial Lighthouse]       [Winter War Game]