Fort Ticonderoga: A Short History

A vivid picture of Fort Ticonderoga unfolds from the moment a young museum director uncovers a tiny bronze flint‑and‑tinder box buried beneath a stone. That modest find sparks the narrative, guiding readers through the fort’s layered past while showcasing the thousands of artifacts that now fill its collection. The book’s richly detailed illustrations—drawings of the box, period portraits, and panoramic views of the fort and its surroundings—bring history to life for the ear.

The story begins with the ancient peoples who first inhabited the Champlain Valley, describing their tools, settlements, and the turbulent shift when the Iroquois displaced the Algonquin. It then follows early European explorers, notably Samuel de Champlain, and the strategic importance of the site as French and British forces vie for control. Through contemporary letters, maps, and vivid sketches, listeners gain a clear sense of the fort’s early military and cultural significance, setting the stage for the dramatic events that would later shape the nation.