Clinton County Historical Association
On October 11th, 1776, the first American Navy led by Benedict Arnold gathered at Valcour Bay in what is now Clinton County to halt the British advance south. In the battle that followed the fleet was defeated, but their heroic effort succeeded in buying the patriots another year of planning, turning the tide in the War for Independence on the battlefields of Saratoga. The Clinton County Historical Association has taken the lead in the County's America250 Commemoration activities, organizing events and speakers sharing the history of America's founding and development.
All activities will be posted here and on the Battle of Valcour Website , along with histories relevant to our area before, during, and after the Revolution.
In October of 1776 a tiny bay on the eastern shore of Lake Champlain was the site of the final encounter of the three-day Revolutionary War Battle on Lake Champlain which started at Valcour Island. In this location, formerly known as Ferris Bay, five colonial vessels, under the command of Benedict Arnold, were burned to deny their capture by the British fleet. Arnold and his crews escaped overland while under fire from the British vessels. Since 2021 the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum has been conducting a battlefield survey of Arnold’s Bay and the shoreline around it with a goal of refining our understanding of the battlefield and any remaining vessel wreckage through in-water and terrestrial survey. Lake Champlain Maritime Museum Executive Director Chris Sabick will present the background history of the site and a description of previous archaeology work, and present preliminary results of recent excavations.
Illustrated Talk on the Battle of Valcour Island with American Revolutionary War Historian and Author Art Cohn.
Guided Museum Tours highlighting our Revolutionary War Exhibit with the story of the Battle of Valcour Island, the exploded cannon story and replica from the New York, the Royal Savage gun carriage and Echoes, the story of Natives, Blacks and Women in the Revolutionary War.
Join us for the first of the Signature Weekend events with a dinner to commemorate the 250th Anniversary of the Battle of Valcour Island by honoring the Valcour Bay Research Project Team. Cocktail hour begins at 5 pm followed by dinner at 6 pm. Following dinner, you will learn fascinating information about the team, their work and the raising of the last cannon piece on July 20, 2026.
Reservations are required and can be made by calling 518-561-0340. Seating is limited so reserve early. Dinner tickets are $55 (cash or check). RSVP by September 30
*See meal choices below in Related Articles-located under the America 250 tab
Guided Museum Tours highlighting our Revolutionary War Exhibit with the story of the Battle of Valcour Island, the exploded cannon story and replica from the New York, the Royal Savage gun carriage and Echoes, the story of Natives, Blacks and Women in the Revolutionary War.
Enjoy a trip to Valcour Island and explore the Bluff Point Lighthouse! Guides available to answer any questions you may have about this historical site.
Enjoy an evening of Patriotic music with the U.S. Navy Band- Northeast from Newport, Rhode Island.
Enjoy Patriotic music as the final day of the Signature Weekend begins. After opening remarks, the Saranac Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution will hold the 131st Commemoration Ceremony of the Battle of Valcour Island. Experience a narrated reenactment of the Battle to be held on Cumberland Bay.
Bring a chair!
A Memorial Service in honor of those who died during the Battle of Valcour Island.
Please call the museum to reserve your seat by September 30. $55(cash or check)
Watch video Read articleRead article'Accident reconstruction 1776'
Watch video Read articleRead articleExamining the American Revolution hero, who evaded the British on Lake Champlain, but later betrayed the cause
Watch video Read articleRead articleThis year marks the 25th anniversary of the Valcour Bay Research Project (VBRP). The VBRP was an eight-year archaeological survey of the Valcour Bay lakebed, the site of the historic Battle of Valcour Island.
Watch video Read articleRead articleHeritage Corner discusses the Battle of Valcour
Watch video Read articleRead article
