Lake Champlain Maritime Museum Logo; Click to return to our Home Page. Home

Site Map

Contact Us

We are open daily, 10am - 5pm, May 23 through October 18, 2009.
All special events held rain or shine 10am to 5pm, and are are included with regular museum admission,
unless otherwise noted. Exhibit buildings and performance areas at the museum are wheelchair accessible. Access to the waterfront is limited for people with mobility challenges. For ASL interpretation of performances, please contact the museum five days in advance.

 

 

 

Special Events Calendar 2009

1609: Navigating the Champlain Valley Exhibit

Featured Exhibit:
Discover 1609: Who Was Samuel de Champlain?
May 23 - October 18, 2009
Be first in line to meet the man behind the journey in our new Discover 1609 Exhibit which asks the question Who was Samuel de Champlain?  His explorations and personal diplomacy  helped shape the world of today. Yet Champlain revealed almost no personal information in his writings. LCMM invites you to discover the skillful and tenacious man behind the myth in our newest exhibit.

Native American Encampment 2009!

Native American Encampment
June 13-14, 2009

Native American Encampment 2009!

Dressed in clothing faithful to 1609, members of El-nu and Missisquoi Abenaki portray their ancestors and share traditional life skills, diplomacy, and weapons. Descendants of early French families in period clothing and accessories represent Samuel de Champlain, two of his soldiers, and his future wife, Hélène Boullé. Fredrick M. Wiseman, PhD will narrate a comparison of the early seventeenth century Native and European transportation, navigation, clothing, arms, armour, food, healing, and how these cultures began the process of adapting to each other. Dr. Wiseman will also present his newest publication, At Lake Between: The Great Council Fire and the European Discovery of Lake Champlain. Dr. Wiseman’s research combines European sources, Wabanaki Wampum Records, and the use of replica tools, weapons, and clothing, to provide new insight into this era. The event will include a book signing, film showings, wampum readings, lake mapping, arquebus firing, Native American weapons and armor, and much more.

Special Opportunity for Kids: Youth Book Club! This summer we kick off LCMM's first-ever Youth Book Club with Champlain and the Silent One, by Kate Messner. This wonderful historical fiction is told from the perspective of a young Native American boy in 1609, who is confronted with war and the coming of a new culture:the French. Purchase this book from us, read it with your family, then join us on Saturday, June 13, at 11am, to meet the author and discuss the book.
Youth Book Club!FEE: $25 includes a copy of the book, and admission for one adult and one child to the author's workshop, and the weekend-long Native American Encampment June 13 & 14 (see above).
Sign up now!
(You don't HAVE to read the book to attend the presentation; reduced fee if you don't purchase the book!)

Ongoing:

Saturday June 13:

Sunday, June 14:

 

Gala Raffle Fundraiser June 27, 2009
The Lake Champlain Maritime Museum’s Annual Gala Raffle is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the Museum! This event raises over $40,000 each year for one of the Museum’s greatest needs, operational support. Without the generous and faithful support of local businesses and museum members and guests, this would not be possible. See some of the prizes and how to get your tickets to this Gala Raffle...

Small Watercraft Festival
August 8-9, 2009
Celebrate clean, green, sustainable fun! Looking for recreation and vacation opportunities that are close to home, affordable, and good for the environment? That is just what small boats are good for!

Family Boat Launch at the Small Watercraft Festival

Saturday: Kids Duct Tape Regatta – kids and their families design, build and launch a cardboard boat big enough to ride in!

Sunday: Lake Champlain Challenge Race – participants bring your own non-motorized boat, kayak, or canoe to row or paddle in this three-mile race (for details contact Nick Patch nickp@lcmm.org).

Register in Advance for classes: Kayaking Skills; Family Boatbuilding Workshop; Digital Photography!

 

Archaeology Weekend at LCMM!

Archaeology Weekend
September 26-27, 2009
Join us for presentations on Lake Champlain shipwrecks featuring some of our latest explorations including early steamboats, gunboats, sailing vessels and canal boats. Learn what threatens the lake’s collection of shipwrecks and what you can do to help protect and preserve underwater cultural resources. Special demonstrations in the Conservation Lab, lectures and films.

Saturday: Shipwrecks! On-water tour -- see a shipwreck without getting wet! Advance reservations required for this popular field trip.

Storytelling Festival
October 17, 2009
Gather on board a wooden ship, beside a crackling fire, or in an intimate theater to experience Lake Champlain in song and story. Hear some of the region’s best storytellers, historians and musicians share the lake’s history and legends.

At 1pm, join LCMM archaeologists for Shipwrecks! an on-water tour to see a shipwreck - without getting wet (advance reservations required for this popular field trip). Later in the afternoon, stroll next door to the Basin Harbor Club for Oktoberfest family fun at the Red Mill Restaurant. German music and food; purchase activity tickets for autumn crafts, hayrides, face painting and more.

James Wakefield Rescue Row October 17, 2009

James Wakefield Rescue Row
October 17
On December 9th, 1876, the crew of the canal schooner General Butler was stranded atop the breakwater in Burlington, VT, after their boat sank during a terrible winter storm. They were rescued by James Wakefield and his son, who rowed out to save them. Every year, the Champlain Longboats program commemorates this heroic event with a youth rowing race in Burlington, VT; we expect over one hundred participants! Races begin at 9:30am at the Burlington Community Boat House.

 

Previous Events of 2009...

Opening Weekend Celebration May 23 & 24!

Opening Weekend Celebrations
May 23-24, 2009
Join us on May 23-24 for LCMM's 2009 opening weekend!

Champlain Longboats Launch Day
May 21, 2009
LCMM’s on-water season officially begins with the launching of a 25-foot pilot gig. This beautiful watercraft is built at the LCMM Boat Shop from January to May by students and staff from the Diversified Occupations Program of the Patricia Hannaford Career Center. Student boat builders speak about their experiences and then lead an on-water “parade” of student-built pilot gigs.

Join our Pirate Crew!
Kids Pirate Festival - ARGGGGH!

Kids Pirate Festival
June 6-7, 2009
In light of recent serious events involving piracy on the high seas, LCMM will offer a special session for older kids, Pirates Past & Present: the Good, the Bad, & the Ugly. Swashbuckle your way back to the era of discovery and exploration! Kids get creative with dramatic play, sing-alongs, and make-and-take crafts for the whole family. Enjoy exciting, pirate-themed activities and live performances with guest artists, including Stephen Gratto, the stilt-walking pirate juggler and comedian. This year, LCMM has partnered with Team Odyssey of Vergennes Middle School; students and their teachers and parents will present new games and activities that they helped to create! Build your maritime skills, orienteer your way around the museum grounds on a treasure hunt, and meet some colorful characters from the past!

Ongoing: Crafts & Food & Games!

Saturday

Sunday

Students from the Vergennes Union Middle School are leading many of the days' activities. Thanks to them and their teachers for their magnificient effort and hard work!