The history of the crossing which the Lake Champlain Bridge spans is the subject of a new series of historian-led guided tours.
Elsa Gilbertson and Tom Hughes, state historic site managers at Chimney Point in Vermont and Crown Point in New York, will lead guided, round-trip walking tours on the last Sunday of July, August and September.
The tours will focus on the historic significance of the area where the bridge now stands. Over the centuries, this crossing has been used by native North Americans, the French, British and colonial Americans. The peninsulas on either side of the narrow channel made it one of the most strategic military locations along Lake Champlain, especially during the 18th century.
This month’s tour will be held at 1 p.m. on Sunday, July 29, and will begin at the Crown Point State Historic Site. The cost to participate is $5 for adults and free for children under 15.
Other tours will be held on Aug. 26, starting from Chimney Point and Sept. 30, starting at Crown Point.
Both sites are open and staffed into October, at which point they are open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays and site-specific weekdays.
The Crown Point site can be reached by calling 518-597-3666. Chimney Point can be reached at 802-759-2412.
