Fort educational program brings history to Vt. & N.Y. classrooms

TICONDEROGA | On Nov. 4, Fort Ticonderoga's one-of-a-kind traveling "Henry Knox in the Classroom" educational program will visit Charlotte Central School in Charlotte, Vt., kicking off numerous regional school programs over the next six months marking the 250th anniversary of Knox's "Noble Train of Artillery." Focusing on Henry Knox's historic 300-mile journey transporting nearly 60 tons of artillery and vital military equipment from Fort Ticonderoga to George Washington's army in Boston, the hands-on program enables students to handle objects, examine primary sources and ask questions about one of the most ambitious military operations of the American Revolution. "Rooted in our singular museum collections and offering engaging and hands-on content, Fort Ticonderoga is the nationally leading resource to not only educate but inspire the next generation on the early history of our nation," said Beth L. Hill, Fort Ticonderoga President and CEO. "'Henry Knox in the Classroom' is a shining example of programming that brings historic military achievement directly to students in a comprehensible and impactful manner, in-person and through outreach as well as across the nation through live virtual programs." Months into the 1775 Siege of Boston and no closer to evicting the British, General George Washington and congressional and military officials understood cannon were needed to break the stalemate. The best source of such artillery was at Fort Ticonderoga, which had been captured by the Continental Army earlier that spring. To get that artillery to his army, Washington ordered young civilian Henry Knox to lead a 300-mile mission that is today hailed as "the Noble Train of Artillery." Featuring non-firing replica cannon, oxen yokes, draft horse harnesses and more, the 45-minute interactive classroom program invites students to imagine the scale of Henry Knox's logistical feat. Using first-hand techniques, students examine the challenges of transporting supplies and heavy artillery over difficult roads and waterways; learn the crucial role that draught animals played in transporting supplies during the war; see the design, function and importance artillery played in battlefield victories; and engage with Knox's masterful display of logistics. Highlighting the same content, live virtual outreach programs also feature Fort Ticonderoga's oxen, Mick and Mack, as part of the program. After the "Henry Knox in the Classroom" virtual program was presented to her class earlier this year, teacher Diane Bugler of Captain Samuel Brown Elementary School in Peabody, Massachusetts shared that the museum staff used authentic materials, costumes and live animals to engage her students. "My class gained tremendous insight into the Noble Train journey that they would have never experienced from textbooks or in any other way," Bugler said. Following the Nov. 4 visit to the Charlotte Central School, future "Henry Knox in the Classroom" programs are planned for many other Ticonderoga-regional schools, including: Dec. 11, at Stillwater Elementary School, Stillwater April 4, at Lake Placid Elementary School, Lake Placid May 13, at Okte Elementary School, Clifton Park The "Henry Knox in the Classroom" traveling program is part of REAL TIME REVOLUTION®, a multi-year initiative coinciding with our nation's 250th year anniversary to bring to life the people and events that defined the fight for independence. Occurring on Dec. 5-7 is "Noble Train Begins," the final signature reenactment of 2025 for REAL TIME REVOLUTION® at Fort Ticonderoga. Dec. 5-7 events for "Noble Train Begins" include: Dec. 5 – 2 p.m.: EXCLUSIVE Premium Experience: Join us on the 250th anniversary of Henry Knox's arrival at Ticonderoga for a special behind-the-scenes "Ticonderoga's Treasures" experience. This program explores original archival documents, rare books, prints, and artifacts from 1775 that illuminate Henry Knox's Noble Train of Artillery. Pre-registration is required; limited tickets available for in-person and on-line. Dec. 6 – 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.: REAL TIME REVOLUTION® Signature Event: Noble Train Begins: Exactly 250 years later, watch Henry Knox at Fort Ticonderoga selecting through the captured guns of Ticonderoga, Crown Point, St. Jean, and Chambly. Experience the science of artillery as soldiers inspect these big guns before scaling them, dramatically cleaning them with the explosive force of gunpowder. Follow the first leg of the Noble Train of Artillery as Fort Ticonderoga assembles the largest number of period vehicles since 1775, with oxen and horses, to recreate the first leg of Henry Knox's journey. HIGHLIGHTED PROGRAMMING THROUGHOUT THE DAY: 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m.: Cannon Demonstration – Watch New York soldiers examine the guns of Ticonderoga for fatal faults, before scaling and cleaning them with the explosive force of gunpowder. 1 p.m.: Cannon, Mortar, & Howitzer? – Explore the three different types of 18th century artillery through premier examples from the Collections of Fort Ticonderoga. See both the "not-so-Knox" cannons and genuine 'noble train' artillery pieces, with real stories of the incredible artifacts on display. 2:30 p.m.: "From Quebec, if in our hands" -- Henry Knox and Cannon for Boston – Henry Knox famously moved nearly 60 tons of artillery from Ticonderoga to the American Army outside Boston, but where did these cannon come from? Join Fort Ticonderoga Curator Dr. Matthew Keagle as he explains the origins of Knox's "noble train of artillery" from Lake George to Canada. 3 p.m.: "The work of 43 men for 2 days" – Arming Henry Knox with the cash and credit of the Continental Congress, General Washington dispatched his most able engineer on Nov. 16, 1775. See how Knox managed the operation, worked to account for soldiers' labor and succeeded in accomplishing the mission. Dec. 7, 11 a.m.: The Noble Train to Lake George – Witness the reenactment of the critical first leg of Henry Knox's journey. Beginning in the Town of Ticonderoga, join Fort Ticonderoga as we assemble the largest number of period vehicles since December 1775, pulled by oxen and horses. At the corner of modern-day Montcalm Street and Champlain Avenue, 'noble train' reenactors will drag cannon to the shore of Lake George, where they were loaded to sail up the lake and onward to the Siege of Boston. Celebrate the beginning of this remarkable achievement, which culminated in the liberation of an American city and inspiring a nation towards independence. For a complete visitor schedule and more information about other Fort Ticonderoga programs, visit www.fortticonderoga.org.

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Fort educational program brings history to Vt. & N.Y. classrooms

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