My name is Allyson Ropp. I hold a master’s degree from East Carolina University in the Program in Maritime Studies I am so excited to be at LCMM. Not only is the staff amazing and so energetic and excited about what they are doing here at the museum, but the museum itself offers a variety of resources and learning opportunities through traditional museum exhibits to more adventurous outings on to the lake through ecology and rowing programs to the depths of the lake with ROV tours of some of the shipwrecks. My degree, and background, is underwater and maritime archaeology. The maritime archaeology field is just so amazing with the number of wreck sites of ships, submarines, planes, and lost cities that scatter the oceans, lakes, and rivers across the globe. Unfortunately, not everyone can see and experience these sites. That’s where I come in! I am interested in making maritime archaeology public, so that everyone can see and experience these sites and the intricacies of finding, documenting, and conserving them. These sites are the heritage of all and relate different periods of human exploration and travel.
While at LCMM, I am a part of the archaeology research team. I am here to make their research public in innovative ways to share the history of the shipwrecks and site in Lake Champlain with you—the people of Vermont, New York, and the wider world. Another part of this position is finding ways to teach people, youth and adults, the ins and outs of archaeology, more 
specifically underwater archaeology. These include dive trainings, field schools, afterschool programs throughout the area, LCMM on-campus school groups, and any other means to getting our information and research out to you! I get to work closely with the FUSION Afterschool Program in Vergennes and the numerous school groups that come through the Museum including 1776: The American Revolution in the Champlain Valley and Paddling Ecology field trips.
specifically underwater archaeology. These include dive trainings, field schools, afterschool programs throughout the area, LCMM on-campus school groups, and any other means to getting our information and research out to you! I get to work closely with the FUSION Afterschool Program in Vergennes and the numerous school groups that come through the Museum including 1776: The American Revolution in the Champlain Valley and Paddling Ecology field trips. I am most excited about helping and expanding the summer opportunities the museum offers through its numerous Lake Adventure Camps and fieldwork opportunities. This summer we will be hosting a field school on a Lake Champlain shipwreck and hopefully other diving and training opportunities for youth and adults alike. We hope to not only spark an interest by the community to preserve and protect these sites, but also to create a dive community interested in helping LCMM document and protect these sites so that future generations may learn about the exciting and dynamic historical role the lake played in American history!
LCMM is very grateful to have Allyson serving with us this year. She has added new knowledge and great energy to our team. We congratulate her on completing her MA this winter!” ~ Erick Tichonuk, Co-Executive Director and AmeriCorps SIte Supervisor.