NEWSLETTER
Immersive experiences invite families to step into the story of 1776 during the 250th anniversary of the fight for American independence
Ticonderoga, N.Y. (September 23, 2026) — This fall, history comes alive at Fort Ticonderoga as families experience the American Revolution where it happened and in the season when it unfolded.
Two hundred fifty years ago, soldiers looked across the hills surrounding Ticonderoga as brilliant autumn color gave way to uncertainty. Winter was approaching, British forces were on Lake Champlain, and the struggle for American independence hung in the balance. The decisions made at Ticonderoga helped give the Revolution the time it needed to survive.
Today, visitors can step directly into that unfolding story through REAL TIME REVOLUTION®, Fort Ticonderoga’s immersive, chronological experience presented on the historic grounds where these events took place. Through encounters with soldiers, demonstrations of essential 18th-century skills, the sounds of an army on campaign, and stories of the people who faced extraordinary challenges, families can experience history in motion.
“The 250th anniversary of the fight for independence is unfolding in real time at Fort Ticonderoga,” said Beth L. Hill, Fort Ticonderoga President and CEO. “REAL TIME REVOLUTION® gives families the opportunity to do more than read about the Revolution. They can see it, hear it, explore it, and experience the decisions and challenges faced by the people who lived it.”
Mark Your Calendar:
- October 3 | Annual Heritage, Harvest, & Horse Festival - A full day of autumn fun set amidst the heirloom apple trees of the King’s Garden. Watch exciting demonstrations of working animals, meet friendly farm animals, and stroll through a local farmers' market. The day also includes the Heroic Corn Maze and the Carillon boat tour, making it an annual family tradition.
- October 24–25 | REAL TIME REVOLUTION® Signature Event: Hold the Line for Liberty - Fort Ticonderoga will culminate its season with Hold the Line for Liberty, a dramatic October 24–25 experience that places visitors in the tension of October 1776, when American forces defended this vital position against an invasion that threatened to end the Revolution in its first year.
Make a Day of Fall Family Fun
The revolutionary experience extends beyond the fort itself. Families can challenge one another in Fort Ticonderoga’s six-acre Heroic Corn Maze, recognized by USA TODAY 10Best, and open Tuesday through Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., through October 25. This year’s maze celebrates six inspiring stories of Revolutionary heroism. Visitors can also explore the King’s Garden, take in sweeping autumn views from Mount Defiance, hike the Carillon Battlefield trails, and discover 2,000 acres of historic landscape at the height of fall color.
With history, exploration, gardens, trails, the birds-eye view from Mount Defiance, and hands-on experiences throughout the property, Fort Ticonderoga offers families multiple ways to connect with the past while enjoying the beauty of the Adirondack autumn.
From the Screen to the Historic Ground
Fort Ticonderoga has reached audiences nationwide this year through Netflix’s The American Experiment, Ken Burns’ The American Revolution on PBS, and NOVA’s Revolutionary War Weapons.
This fall, visitors can go beyond the screen and experience the place for themselves—walking the historic ground, seeing the landscapes featured on camera, meeting interpreters portraying people from the past, and becoming part of the story through REAL TIME REVOLUTION®.
Plan Your Visit
Fort Ticonderoga and Mount Defiance are open Tuesday through Sunday through October 25, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the last ticket sold at 4:30 p.m. General admission tickets are valid for two consecutive days. Advance tickets are encouraged, and premium and specialty experiences require advance reservations. For more information and to plan your visit: www.fortticonderoga.org.
About REAL TIME REVOLUTION®
REAL TIME REVOLUTION® follows the American Revolution day-by-day and season by season, on the ground where it happened. Drawing on primary-source research, Fort Ticonderoga presents the people of 1776 not as figures who knew the outcome, but as individuals confronting genuine uncertainty and making choices that shaped the nation’s future. The programming continues through 2027, when the British return, take the heights above the fortress in July and set in motion the campaign that ends at Saratoga.
About Fort Ticonderoga: Welcoming visitors since 1909, Fort Ticonderoga is a major cultural destination, museum, historic site, and center for learning, offering the most comprehensive Revolutionary War experience in the nation. Home to the largest collection of 18th-century military objects in North America, Fort Ticonderoga engages more than 70,000 visitors each year with an economic impact of more than $16 million annually. Presenting vibrant programs, historic interpretation, boat cruises, tours, demonstrations, and exhibits, Fort Ticonderoga is open for daily visitation May through October, with special programs during Winter Quarters, November through April. Fort Ticonderoga is owned by The Fort Ticonderoga Association, a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization, and is supported in part through generous donations and with some general operating support made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts.
© The Fort Ticonderoga Association. 2026 All Rights Reserved.
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