Historians reveal children's Rev War activity book at Keeseville Elementary

KEESEVILLE | All 100 4th and 5th graders at Keeseville Elementary School were first to receive copies of the Clinton County Historical Association (CCHA) America250 activity book: The American Revolution in the Champlain Valley from A to Z. The official book reveal presented them with pages of history compiled for Grade 4 and 5 students throughout Clinton, Essex and Franklin counties. Students can color, puzzle, read, learn and connect dots to very familiar places here that helped define American Independence. Each letter, A to Z, identifies important moments in the Revolutionary War. The project was organized by CCHA President Geri Favreau and drew local talents from illustrator George "Speedy" Arnold and graphic designer Anja Bouchard. Elementary education teachers helped guide content development alongside members of the CCHA board. Historians from the City of Plattsburgh Jacqueline "Jackie" Stewart and Anne Bailey identified key events and people to include. The book is dedicated to the late James "Jim" Bailey, beloved historian in both Essex and Clinton counties. Favreau welcomed the students, inviting them to enjoy the rich history that surrounds their community. She introduced Speedy Arnold, whose ancestral heritage connects to Benedict Arnold. "My fifth great-grandfather's fifth cousin was Benedict Arnold," he said, "I think. It's very complex," he laughed, asking kids about historic places nearby. All of the students raised their hands when asked if they plan to visit Fort Ticonderoga. The drawing on the front of the book features the Battle of Valcour Island, he said. "There is the Knox Train on the back, you want to look at this when you do the activity book. There's really cool things in there." This guy, Henry Knox, Arnold said "he hauled a bunch of cannons all the way from Ticonderoga to Boston." Favreau invited the students to consider how the Noble Train of soldiers on foot moved cannons in December 1775 through January 1776, in the snow, hauling equipment with oxen and horses. "You're talking winter 1776, no interstate, no GPS, they had to haul through using maybe established trails made by Native Americans," she said. "Fort Ti to Boston is maybe four hours now if you are going to drive it. So you can imagine how many days it took. "That would be a good thing for you to research and find out: how many miles and how long did it take them. Where did they get the food? Where did they get the clothes? What happened when their shoes wore out?" Revolutionary War times were very, very different, she engaged the kids. "The women were there too, they followed the train. They were probably wives and sisters and others. But the hardships that they went through in those days in order to give us the independence that we have today to be able to sit here and talk about this is tremendous." Hint: Knox's "Noble Train of Artillery" moved 60 tons of artillery equipment from Ticonderoga to Boston. One of Gen. George Washington's most trusted advisors, Henry Knox became the first U.S. Secretary of War and set the foundation for the United States Navy. Keeseville Elementary School Principal Samantha Trudeau announced winners of a coloring contest they held for grades 4 and 5 with a page from of the activity book. The top two fourth-grade colorists were Emma Monroe, runner-up, and Alicia Worth, first place. The top two fifth-grade colorists were Avelyn Burrell, runner-up, and Giselle Smith, first place. Arnold told the students how he once stood on their stage in the same gymnasium during his Kindergarten graduation. "I said, 'Welcome teachers, welcome friends, welcome to our Kindergarten graduation," he grinned. A locally beloved artist and musician, he said Favreau asked last year if he would illustrate some of the book's highlights. "I said Yes! I wanted to donate my time, what a great thing to do," he mused. "It's pretty neat to get kids involved, especially this year: 250." Arnold said the Arnolds' original homestead in Harkness is still in the family, dating back to 1797 when brothers Eleazar and Labin Arnold were among pioneering Quakers who came up from Rensselaer County to settle in what's now Peru. Copies of "The American Revolution in the Champlain Valley from A to Z" will be available to the public starting June 1 at the CCHA History Museum on Ohio Avenue. For more information about the book, contact Favreau, chair, Clinton County America250 Committee at 518-561-0340. The special history project for students was sponsored by the America250 Committee under the leadership of the Clinton County Historical Association with funding from a 2025 Special Programs Grant from the Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership, and grants from Stewart's Shops, a private donor and the support of the Clinton-Essex-Franklin Library System, the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, and many others. A myriad of America250 programs are scheduled throughout the North Country this year. To explore options: visit www.clintoncountyhistorical.org and www.battleofvalcour.com and www.goadirondack.com

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Historians reveal children's Rev War activity book at Keeseville Elementary

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