NEWSLETTER
Three-day event on July 3-5 showcases the Northern Continental Army’s return to Fort Ticonderoga to defend against British advance
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Ticonderoga, N.Y.—The countdown to the most significant summer in a generation has officially begun. With exactly two months until the 250th anniversary of July 1776, Fort Ticonderoga is readying its gates to open for the REAL TIME REVOLUTION® Signature Reenactment Event: Return of an Army, taking place July 3-5, 2026.
While history books often focus on Philadelphia where the Declaration of Independence was signed, Fort Ticonderoga invites visitors to see where ink met earth. This July, the site will recreate the “nadir” of the American Revolution: the moment the Northern Continental Army, broken by a failed campaign in Canada and ravaged by disease, retreated to Ticonderoga to make their final stand against British forces. Discover the resilience of the Continental Army, from the Fifes & Drums commands that kept soldiers together to the impressive arsenal of cannon assembled to defend Ticonderoga.
“In two months, our visitors won’t just read about history — they will stand in the middle of it,” said Beth L. Hill, Fort Ticonderoga President and CEO. “True independence was labored and fought for by the thousands of soldiers who held the line here at Ticonderoga. As a premier destination for America 250, we are ready to show the world the grit and sacrifice it took to secure the freedom we celebrate today.”
Below are highlights for “Return of an Army”:
- Friday, July 3 – 2 p.m.: The Final Row Up Lake Champlain – Watch the arrival of the first wave of Northern Continental Army soldiers, landing their wooden transport boats called bateaux at Ticonderoga and marching to their new encampment.
- Saturday, July 4 – 11 a.m.: “The Distressing Situation with the Sick” – Witness the arrival of the Northern Continental Army’s General Hospital in the midst of an epidemic that threatened to destroy the army.
- Saturday, July 4 – 2 p.m.: A Grand Review – See the American forces that reached Ticonderoga assemble for a review by the Continental Army’s generals. Hear the roar of gunpowder as these soldiers fire together en masse.
- Sunday July 5 – 11 a.m.: The Guns to Defend Ticonderoga – View boats laden with cannon reaching the shores of Ticonderoga, and American soldiers hoisting them ashore and delivering them to Fort Ticonderoga. Witness the first preparations to defend against British invasion.
- Sunday, July 5 – 2 p.m.: The First Bastion of Hope – Feel the rumble as cannon fire from the walls of Fort Ticonderoga. See soldiers arm, “the Old French Fort,” as the work of fortifying the entire Ticonderoga camp begins.
- All Three Days (July 3-5) – 12:30 p.m.: Fifes & Drums Concert – Hear the beats that brought an army together, as the Fifes & Drums of Fort Ticonderoga celebrate Independence Day. Discover how their songs relayed orders to march, maneuver and fire in defense of the new nation.
As part of the multi-year REAL TIME REVOLUTION® initiative (2024-2027), “Return of an Army” is meticulously designed using primary source records to reflect identical conditions to 1776. This July, REAL TIME REVOLUTION® will allow visitors to:
- Witness the Arrival: Watch a flotilla of bateaux land at the base of the fort as exhausted Continental troops establish a desperate defensive line.
- Declare Your Independence: Stand on the very ground where, weeks after the retreat, the Declaration of Independence was first read to the troops, transforming a struggling army into a new nation's defenders.
- Explore the “Must-See” 250th Destination: From the high-stakes military demonstrations to narrated boat tours on Lake Champlain, Fort Ticonderoga offers the most comprehensive 1776 experience in the nation.
“Return of an Army” is the centerpiece of Fort Ticonderoga’s full season of 250th anniversary programming. Additional 2026 signature events will include:
- “Today We Are a Nation Among the People of the World” | July 28 – Experience the first reading of the Declaration of Independence to the troops at Ticonderoga, exactly as it occurred 250 years ago.
- “Lodging as the Nature of the Campaign will Admit” | September 19-20 – See American ingenuity in action as soldiers use boards, posts and beams to build new shelter as they guard Ticonderoga into the fall.
- Hold the Line for Liberty | October 24-25 – This reenactment will dramatically recreate one of the greatest Continental Army victories of 1776 that occurred at the same time as one of its greatest defeats. The very moment soldiers and militiamen at Ticonderoga held the line for liberty—and perhaps secured independence—will come to life.
Throughout Fort Ticonderoga’s open season, which runs through October 25, 2026, visitors can also enjoy:
- Carillon Boat Tours: Narrated cruises on Lake Champlain explore the historically rich waters of the Revolution, featuring thrilling underwater archaeology and scenic natural beauty.
- Mount Defiance: The stunning summit offers a bird’s-eye view of the strategic “Key to the Continent.”
- Premium Tours: Go behind the scenes in the museum’s rare collections, thrill at "Guns by Night” and take a battlefield tour on Liberty Hill.
Tickets are now available. Due to the anticipated high demand for this Signature Event and the America 250 commemorations, visitors are strongly encouraged to purchase tickets in advance at www.fortticonderoga.org.
For more information about the three-day “Return of an Army” event, click here. For a complete visitor schedule and more information about other Fort Ticonderoga programs, visit www.fortticonderoga.org.
About Fort Ticonderoga: Welcoming visitors since 1909, Fort Ticonderoga is a major cultural destination, museum, historic site, and center for learning. As a multi-day destination and the premier place to learn more about North America’s military heritage, 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 and special programs during Winter Quarters, November through April. Fort Ticonderoga is owned by The Fort Ticonderoga Association, a 501c3 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. To view Fort Ticonderoga’s electronic press kit, click here.
© The Fort Ticonderoga Association. 2026 All Rights Reserved.
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