Fort Ticonderoga Buys Carillon Cruise Boat
Waterway tours to begin in spring 2015
Fort Ticonderoga announced last week that it purchased the ‘Carillon’ cruise boat. The Carillon had been based across Lake Champlain in Shoreham, Vermont, and is a replica of a 1920’s cruise boat, typical of thre style found in the Thousand Islands. The 60 foot luxury vessel was previously owned by Paul and Rene Sanger, who operated the boat from a dock in Shoreham. They offered scenic and educational tours of southern Lake Champlain highlighting the history, beauty, and nature of Lake Champlain. Fort Ticonderoga plans to complete ownership this spring and plans to provide waterway tours of Lake Chaplain during the 2015 season.
“We are extremely pleased to acquire this iconic vessel. My wife and I were privileged to be guests of Captain Paul Saenger and his wife Rene, the Carillon’s prior owners, on Captain Paul’s last Carillon cruise prior to his passing. Captain Paul clearly wanted the boat to stay in the southern part of Lake Champlain, and we at Fort Ticonderoga are exceedingly pleased that we will fulfill that wish while greatly enhancing the Fort Ticonderoga experience.” ~ Sanford W. Morhouse, Fort Ticonderoga Chairman of the Board.
Fort Ticonderoga began a major waterway recreation and transportation initiative that is expected to continue over the next several years. The acquisition of the Carillon is a key part of those plans. Fort Ticonderoga also recently received a funding from the New York State Regional Economic Development grant awards to support the first phase of development in a waterway transportation and recreation system. Specifically, the funding will be used to construct a dock. Fort Ticonderoga continues to seek philanthropic support to fund the development of this waterway initiative and related educational programs.
“Fort Ticonderoga is thrilled to have the opportunity to expand its cultural destination experience to the internationally significant waters of Lake Champlain. The lake is a tremendous asset for our region and with Fort Ticonderoga’s 2 miles of shoreline and story that is intricately linked to Lake Champlain, the development of a water experience is an obvious next step in our program development. Thanks in part to a New York Empire State Development grant and other generous supporters, Fort Ticonderoga’s waterway experience will expand our tourism demographic, increase the length of stay of our guests, connect our historic properties on both sides of Lake Champlain, and highlight Ticonderoga’s epic story in a new and exciting way. We are particularly enthusiastic about this project as it is directly linked with a Town of Ticonderoga priority to increase access and waterway experiences through tourism development.” ~ Beth Hill, Fort Ticonderoga, President and CEO
Fort Ticonderoga: America’s Fort
Located on Lake Champlain and nestled in the beautiful 6 million acre Adirondack Park, Fort Ticonderoga is an independent not-for-profit educational organization, historic site, museum and cultural destination whose mission is to ensure that present and future generations learn from the struggles, sacrifices, and victories that shaped the nations of North America and changed world history. Serving the public since 1909, Fort Ticonderoga engages nearly 70,000 visitors annually and is dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of Fort Ticonderoga’s history. Accredited by the American Association of Museums, Fort Ticonderoga offers programs, historic interpretation, tours, demonstrations, and exhibits throughout the year and is open for daily visitation May 9 through November 1, 2015. The 2015 season will feature four new exhibitions, two new gardens in the King’s Garden, and the French story highlighting the year 1756. Visit www.FortTiconderoga.org for a full list of ongoing programs or call 518-585-2821.
America’s Fort is a registered trademark of the Fort Ticonderoga Association.