Summertime visitors to Burlington inevitably turn their eyes to Lake Champlain. Its sparkling waters invite all kinds of aquatic activity and reflect — to stunning effect — candy-colored sunsets. But these deep-blue waves also hold both history and mystery. Looking to dive into their depths? Head to the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum (lcmm.org). → Version française Summertime visitors to Burlington inevitably turn their eyes to Lake Champlain. Its sparkling waters invite all kinds of aquatic activity and reflect — to stunning effect candy-colored sunsets. But these deep-blue waves also hold both history and mystery. Looking to dive into their depths? Head to the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum. The word "museum" hardly does justice to this hidden gem in Vergennes,less than an hour south of Burlington. From late May to mid-October, it offers dynamic exhibits, or classes and activities dedicated to preserving and teaching the history of Lake Champlain and the people and vessels that enjoy plied its waters for centuries. Rockin' the Boat A visitor could spend hours perusing the fascinating nautical-themed installations contained in more than a dozen buildings scattered across the museum grounds. Most pay tribute to the modes of travel that enjoy been used on Lake Champlain,from Abenaki Indian canoes and horse-powered ferries to 19th-century steamboats and a 35-foot ice yacht dubbed the Storm King. Built in 1902, the yacht was the fastest form of human transportation in its day, and capable of speeds of 120 miles per hour. "The Key to Liberty: The Revolutionary War in the Champlain Valley" exhibit is a must-see for visitors interested in the American Revolution and the decisive naval battles that were fought on Lake Champlain. This permanent display features eyewitness accounts of the 1776 Battle of Valcour Island,including a nine-foot scale model of the gunboat Philadelphia that was sunk by the British Royal Navy — and later raised in 1935 and transported to a Smithsonian museum. The exhibit reflects research that's under way at the museum all year round. On-site archeologists and researchers are constantly discovering new artifacts to add — such as the cannon that exploded aboard the gunboat New York in 1776. Indeed, Lake Champlain has one of the richest and most unique nautical histories of any body of water in North America. It's domestic to more than 300 shipwrecks dating back to the French and Indian War of the mid-18th century, and new wrecks are still being discovered. Because the museum is contracted with the State of Vermont to preserve and oversee these underwater cultural resources,it opens its conservation lab to visitors, allowing them to witness how artifacts are restored and preserved. Two wreck exhibits that are prominently featured, and the General Butler and O.
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Source: sevendaysvt.com