Welcome 2026: America250 in Clinton Co.

PLATTSBURGH | By 1776, the first battles of the RevolutionaryWar emerged from American rebellion in Lexington and Concord and Boston, and at forts in Ticonderoga and Crown Point. Early that spring, British forces in what became Canada were reinforced by 13,000 troops arriving at Three Rivers. Their movement gathered force at Fort St. Jean at the northern entrance to Lake Champlain. Despite sparse resources and ill-health, American patriots pressed forward, determined to command lake access. Actions of war and resilience here over the next eight years set the course for what became Plattsburgh and Clinton County. Early Crown land claims in New York included a swath of some 30,000 acres, from Cumberland Head south to the Saranac River, property given by King George III in 1767 to Count Charles de Fredenburgh, a British captain and German nobleman. With mills and a stately home on the Saranac River, he set baronial sights on riches from vast tracts of northern New York property. American forces grew more determined to be free of Britain's reign and controlling interest, and military engagement stretched up the lake from Fort Ticonderoga to St. Jean. Count de Fredenburgh retreated to Montreal in 1775. On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence announced colonial severance from British rule. New York established its state constitution soon after, in April, 1777. The rage of war engaged much of the American landscape until King George relinquished rule at the Treaty of Paris in 1783. Clinton County didn't exist, as such, in those formative years. But battles were fought and blood was shed here. And barely a year after the treaty was signed, Platt family land claims ousted de Fredenburgh's hold on U.S. soil. PATRIOT FOUNDERS Peter Sailley Palmer recounted patriot sentiment that founded the township of Plattsburgh. His "History of Lake Champlain" was first published in 1853 and in Plattsburgh. "Judge Zephaniah Platt, of Poughkeepsie, and thirty-two other persons, having united in the purchase of the number of rights requisite to entitle the holders to a township, located them, in 1784, upon the lands which had formerly been embraced in the warrant issued by the English Government to Charles De Fredenburgh." Zephaniah Platt's settlement party included three brothers, Nathanial Platt, Charles Platt and Daniel Platt. "A survey of the land was made in the same year by Captain Nathaniel Platt and Captain Simon R. Reeves, two of the proprietors, and a patent issued by the State to Zephaniah Platt in 1785." Palmer's history notes Nathaniel was "a most zealous Patriot." "Upon one occasion a divine of Long Island pronounced, from his pulpit, a severe (verbal attack) against the Patriots, stigmatizing them as rebels, robbers and assassins," Palmer wrote. Information of the high Tory discourse was carried to Capt. Platt. "Capt. Platt immediately called out his men, seized the minister and carried him to the liberty pole, around which the company were formed. The minister was there severely reprimanded and forced to walk up and kiss the pole as a punishment for his political heresy. "On the next Sabbath Captain Platt was at the church to see what effect his discipline had produced," Palmer wrote. "The discourse was unexceptionable until the minister reached the conclusion of his sermon, when ...turning towards the Captain and exclaiming: 'there are no rebels in heaven, my brethren. No! and you will find no Nathaniel Platts there, nor any accursed liberty poles to kiss.'" THE FIRST TOWN The township of Plattsburgh was first organized as part of Washington County in 1785 and included, Palmer tells, "all the territory within the limits of the present towns of Beekmantown, Saranac, Schuyler's Falls, and also portions of Old Peru and Old Chateaugay." It was the only town on the west side of the lake until 1788, when Champlain, Willsborough and Crown Point were organized. Clinton County was set off from Washington County that same year. Zephaniah, Nathaniel, Charles, and Daniel Platt engaged political, judicial and military roles in the formation of the United States, and brought that experience to the town named after them. Zephaniah was a colonel in the Duchess County militia and served in the provincial congress. Nathaniel's was captain of the first militia mustered on Long Island and later served in Gen. George Washington's commissary. Charles captained a Minute Man militia, and Daniel served in the Continental Navy. Many of title holders who helped found commerce at Plattsburgh were similarly involved in the American Revolution. And many have descendants that live in the region to date. 250 YEARS Clinton County is poised to remember its history as the Declaration of Independence marks 250 years in 2026. Clinton County Historical Association (CCHA) President Geri Favreau chairs the county's America250 Committee comprised of historians, county, town and regional partners. Funding for upcoming projects, interpretive events and educational materials have come from various sources, including Clinton County, the Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership, Daughters of the American Revolution, and private donors. "The first America250 meeting for our region was held in Saratoga eight years ago," Favreau said. "All of a sudden. Here it is, right on our doorstep." Commemoration in 2026 welcomes publication of a Battle of Valcour Revolutionary War activity book designed especially for Grade 4 and Grade 5 students. Collaborating with historians Anne Bailey and Jackie Stewart, area fourth and fifth grade teachers have had a chance to review it. "We've had significant help from Momot teacher Michelle Gottschall and we're working to complete the book now. Anja Bouchard with the Clinton-Essex-Franklin Library System offered to do the graphics. It's really wonderful. We've asked Speedy Arnold to design the cover, and the county is going to print it for us." The activity book will bring local Revolutionary War history into context. "Because the county is printing this at reasonable cost, we think we are going to be able to put a copy of this book into the hands of every fourth and fifth grader in Clinton County," Favreau said. "It goes beyond the history of the Battle of Valcour and includes events in places nearby, like Ticonderoga and Quebec, and contributions of Women patriots, Black patriots and roles of Indigenous people." Clinton County America250 events are being coordinated, too, as towns set dates for their own celebrations. "We're creating a calendar, much like the Bicentennial calendar with a lot of new information," Favreau said. "We're working to get all town activities on the calendar together. "We were awarded another $15,000 from NYS250, and I would like to be able to use some of that funding for the towns. Historians are looking to put events together and they don't always have extra in their budget." The major Plattsburgh event brings a reenactment on Oct. 11 of the Battle of Valcour as part of a weekend-long series. A replica flotilla will engage Revolutionary War strategies on Lake Champlain. The commemoration will be held at City Beach in Plattsburgh. Favreau said their focus on commemoration looks to recognize 250 years of independence in the United States. "America250 is not just about the American Revolution; it's about celebrating our democracy. We're encouraging people to think about what 250 years of independence and democracy means for them, and to celebrate that we've gotten this far." The Clinton County Historical Association is updating its website, but information about activities is available on the Clinton County America250 web page: clintoncountyny.gov/historian/america-250 Information about events and the Battle of Valcour weekend commemoration are also being shared on Adirondack Coast web pages: battleofvalcour.com

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Welcome 2026: America250 in Clinton Co.

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