This morning began what would be another long day of activities, after leaving Syracuse where we spent the night last night. In Saratoga we picked up Jim Hughto, our tour guide for the day, and headed toward Fort Ticonderoga. Along the way we were showed the short documentary, “Something More at Stake” in which Hughto himself played a small role as a reenactor. We also began watching Mel Gibson’s epic, “The Patriot” despite the numerous inaccuracies that Hughto pointed out along the way. Approaching the fort, we stopped first at the French lines, where in 1758 the French Army led by Montcalm successfully defended the fort against an invading British force which outnumbered the French by over four to one. Hughto explained the significance of this battle, not only during the French and Indian War, but also as it influenced America’s war for independence.
After a quick walk from the French lines to the fort itself, we all ate lunch at the cafeteria, then went inside the walls for our tour. It was very interesting to see how many times this stronghold changed hands in such a relatively short period of time. Built by the French, it has since jumped back and forth between British, American, and Canadian rule several times. I learned that after coming under direct attack six times, falling three and being successfully defended three, this fort stands alone in American history. The museum on the third floor was remarkable, with numerous artifacts, explanations of events, and interactive displays. The staff reenactors were fantastic as well, playing the roles of both French and American soldiers, they answered questions, volunteered information, and captivated us with amusing and exciting stories. I am hopeful that the many pictures I obtained from the fort will help pass on this thrill to my students, and let’s be honest, pictures of cannons and stories of battles and famous Americans never fail to capture their attention.
The next leg of our journey involved a ride to Saratoga and a bus tour around the battlefield. Once again, Hughto directed us with stories and facts as we looked upon the same paths soldiers and officers from both armies walked over two hundred years ago. It was great hearing about the two separate battles that occurred here during the revolution, and about Benedict Arnold’s significance before his infamous traitorous activities took place. My students are always fascinated by battle stories, and the pictures I took of the field and the maps I can now access on the Park’s website will add depth and illustration to my lesson plans.
