
Located in Vergennes, Vermont, the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum is a treasure trove of history. The museum showcases the region's rich maritime heritage, with a collection of artifacts and exhibits that transport visitors back in time.
The museum is situated on Basin Harbor Road, a scenic route that offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape. The location is a testament to the region's natural beauty and its importance in the maritime history of Lake Champlain.
Visitors can explore the museum's many exhibits, including a collection of historic boats and a gallery dedicated to the region's shipbuilding industry. The museum's collection also includes artifacts related to the Lake Champlain's role in the War of 1812.
Here's an interesting read: United States House Transportation Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation
About the Museum
The Lake Champlain Maritime Museum is a 501(c)3 non-profit educational organization founded in 1985 to preserve and share the rich maritime heritage of the Champlain Valley. It has grown from a one-room schoolhouse to a world-class nautical archaeological research center.
Here's an interesting read: Suny Maritime International Transportation Management
The museum is located at 4472 Basin Harbor Road, seven scenic miles from Vergennes, and is open daily from late May through mid-October, with hours from 10am-5pm. You can reach them by phone at (802) 475-2022 or by fax at (802) 475-2953.
The museum has a lakeside campus of eighteen buildings, a fleet of full-sized and operational replica vessels, and a staff including nautical archaeologists, educators, boat builders, and curators.
History
The Lake Champlain Maritime Museum (LCMM) has a rich history dating back to 1985, when it was founded and opened to the public in 1986. Located in an old stone schoolhouse on the grounds of the Basin Harbor Club, it was a humble beginning.
The museum has since expanded to include 18 buildings at two sites, housing collections and exhibits, a boat shop, and more. This growth has allowed LCMM to showcase its vast knowledge and treasures.
In 2001, the museum took a significant step forward with the opening of the Burlington Shipyard in Burlington, Vermont. This new facility was located about 20 miles north of the main campus.
The following year, LCMM acquired the Capt. White Place, a historic ship captain's home built around 1815. The museum moved its Burlington offices and exhibits from the shipyard into the Lyman Building, a city-owned facility on the Burlington waterfront, in 2004.
In 2017, the museum announced a major preservation project to raise and preserve the Spitfire, a gunboat that was sunk in the Battle of Valcour Island.
Lake Champlain Maritime Museum
The Lake Champlain Maritime Museum is a 501(c)3 non-profit educational organization founded in 1985 to preserve and share the rich maritime heritage of the Champlain Valley.
The museum has grown from a one-room schoolhouse to a world-class nautical archaeological research center with a lakeside campus of eighteen buildings, a fleet of full-sized and operational replica vessels, and a staff including nautical archaeologists, educators, boat builders, and curators.
You can visit the museum's family-friendly campus, seven scenic miles from Vergennes, at 4472 Basin Harbor Road, and step aboard the 1776 gunboat Philadelphia II.
The museum is open daily from late May through mid-October, from 10am to 5pm, and offers a range of activities, including boat rides, special shipwreck tours, and changing exhibits featuring art, photography, archaeology, and more.
Some of the highlights of the museum include the Ice yacht Storm King, a 35-foot-tall vessel, and the Conservation Lab, where nautical archaeologists treat artifacts recovered from Lake Champlain and beyond.
The museum's location on the shores of Lake Champlain adds to its appeal, with beautiful views and a peaceful atmosphere.
Here are some of the related sites or experiences you can explore:
- Champlain Valley Transportation Museum in Plattsburgh, NY
- The museum's website, www.lcmm.org, and social media channels, including Facebook and YouTube
The museum's hours and admission information can be found by calling (802) 475-2022 or visiting their website.
Exhibits and Collections
The Lake Champlain Maritime Museum has an impressive exhibit space that showcases the region's rich maritime history. The museum's collection includes over 30,000 artifacts.
One of the highlights of the museum's collection is the 19th-century sailing vessel, the Hero of Essex. This historic ship is a replica of the original vessel that was sunk by the British in 1813. Visitors can explore the ship and learn about its significance in American history.
The museum also features a collection of model boats and ships, including a replica of the Champlain Canal's first steamboat.
Replica Fleet
The museum's replica fleet is a remarkable collection of vessels that provide a unique glimpse into the region's maritime history. The first replica made was the Perseverance, a Bateau from the French and Indian War era, completed in 1986.
The Perseverance's success encouraged the museum to build more replicas, including the Philadelphia II, a revolutionary war gunboat launched in 1991. This replica is an accurate reproduction of the original vessel sunk in combat at the Battle of Valcour Island.
The Philadelphia II is based on the original vessel raised from the lake's bottom in 1935 and preserved at the Smithsonian Institution. The museum's primary vessel is the canal schooner Lois McClure, launched in 2004.
The Lois McClure was built by a partnership between the museum and the Lake Champlain Transportation Company. Its design is based on the General Butler, a schooner wrecked in Burlington Harbor on December 9, 1876, and the O.J. Walker, another sailing canal boat which sank in 1895.
Related reading: Lake Washington Shipyard
Shipwrecks and Artifacts
The Lake Champlain Maritime Museum has a fascinating collection of shipwrecks and artifacts that provide a unique insight into the maritime history of the region.
One of the museum's key activities is the study and management of shipwrecks discovered in Lake Champlain.
The museum presents the history of the people and culture of the Lake Champlain region through the preservation and analysis of artifacts.
Visitor Information
The Lake Champlain Maritime Museum is located at Basin Harbor Road in Vergennes, VT, and it's open year-round, but the hours of operation vary depending on the season.
The museum is situated on the shores of Lake Champlain, offering stunning views and a unique perspective on the region's maritime history.
The museum's address is 445 Basin Harbor Road, Vergennes, VT 05491, making it easily accessible by car.
Plan your visit during the warmer months to enjoy the scenic views and outdoor exhibits.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many shipwrecks are in Lake Champlain?
Researchers estimate that up to 300 shipwrecks have occurred in Lake Champlain, making it a treasure trove of submerged cultural heritage resources.
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Champlain_Maritime_Museum
- https://passageport.org/places-to-go/lake-champlain-maritime-museum/
- https://whichmuseum.com/museum/lake-champlain-maritime-museum-ferrisburgh-12391
- https://volunteer.unitedwayaddisoncounty.org/agency/detail/
- https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/lake-champlain-maritime-museum-at-basin-harbor-incorporated
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