Heritage

Today the Lake Champlain Region retains the zeal of its early beginnings and remarkable history. Discovered in the early 1600s by Samuel De Champlain, the region has a storied past that stands tall in the form of buildings and bridges, a legacy written in structures that include commercial dwellings, churches, farmhouses, town halls, libraries, lighthouses and industrial sites. Take a walking tour of one of the historic hamlets—the entire town of Essex is on the Historic Register —and behold the unspoiled Greek and Federal architecture.

The Lake Champlain region is home to a variety of museums and historic sites that preserve and display the artifacts of bygone eras. Visit the forts at Crown Point and Ticonderoga and learn how America changed the course of world history forever. Built by the French and British militaries in the 18th century, these strongholds were critical posts during the French and Indian War and the American Revolution.

A plethora of museums are available to peruse and learn more about the history of Lake Champlain. Visitors can explore the Hancock House-Ticonderoga Historical Museum, Penfield Homestead Museum, The Iron Center Museum, Ticonderoga Heritage Museum, the 1812 Homestead Museum or the Adirondack History Center Museum, among others. 

Use the above guide to find museums, hiking trails, swimming and boating facilities in the Champlain Valley.