lake champlain maritime museum

BeverlyB898

Located in the Basin Harbor Club, this museum's unassuming appearance on the outside belies the amazing treasures that are found within. Lake Champlain is rich in maritime history, including The Revolutionary and 1812 wars, and the museum provides a wealth of information and artifacts dating back hundreds of years. Equally fascinating is the work the museum is doing to preserve many of the actual boats and items that lie on the floor of the lake. I have visited several times and never fail to be amazed by this wonderful treasure. It's well woth a visit, and plan to stay a while to take it all in.

HistoricHomeLover

The Lake Champlain Maritime Museum was an unexpected treat. It is right on Lake Champlain, and has dozens of priceless antique boats, plus two on the lake you can go aboard and tour. We spent an entire day there, taking only a break for lunch at the Red Mill across the way. The museum is very impressive in its scope and provides a fascinating education on the maritime history of Lake Champlain. It's well worth the visit.

donnae66

If you are in the Vergennes area visiting the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum is a must see. It is perfect for all ages. Throughout the summer there are exciting activities for children. The museum is a treasure trove of maritime antiquities. The short walk down to see the two boats is beautiful. You will see a replica of a 1776 gunboat and a replica of an 1862 Canal Schooner. The staff at these boats are very knowledgeable and make history come alive with their stories and information.

Selinthia

Stopped in with family to visit the LCMM for the first time when we moved into the area. I'm not a nautical buff, but there was a lot of history about the Lake Champlain area and interesting exhibits.

jordanvt

One would not normally expect to find the quality of this museum tucked away off in the countryside of Vermont. But here we have the museum with several buildings and a dock that play host to living history recreations. It's clear that the museum is a labor of love supported by a solid community of history minded folk. Well done and enjoyable for those who seek to know the history of this place.

Educator67

The Maritime Museum is a series of buildings and a dock located at the Basin Harbor Resort. Each building contained many examples of the types of boats used on Lake Champlain with excellent displays describing their construction, history and use. There are replicas of a 1776 gunboat and a canal boat at the dock and a knowledgeable docent who was able to describe the use of the boats. The museum also includes a boat shop where the boats are restored and where high school students come and construct their own boats for the rowing club. The cost is very reasonable given the extent of the collection.

LabLover61

A wonderful way to spend the afternoon. The museum is self-guided, and provides an overview of the lake area.

fiatvhs2

Awesome self guided set up allows you to go at your own pace. Original artifacts and boats from Lake Champlain, War of 1812 and the Revolution right there

kyteh

Very neat to see artifacts from War of 1812 I had only studied in history class and tactics as a naval officer. Worth the detour!

JoyKM

My husband and I and our kids (ages 2, 2 & 6) had a very enjoyable visit on a Sunday in August. We were there for about 2 and 1/2 hours and saw all 16 exhibits/buildings, though if we were visiting without our young kids, we would probably have stayed at least an hour longer to linger more over some of the exhibits. They were having a battle reenactment of the Attack on Fort Cassin, the day of our visit, so we watched part of that too, it was fascinating (though the cannons were too loud for the kids to stay to watch the whole thing). Overall a great trip, highly recommend.

kelly48571

We bought a package deal: ticket to museum, 1 1/2 hour boat ride on Lake Champlain, and lunch at the Red Mill restaurant for $29. Amazing deal. All were wonderful. We particularly enjoyed sitting in the reconstructed gunboat and learning about it from a volunteer who has rowed it for years..

RobinL309

Great place for history of Lake Champlain its importance in our country's early history. There is a lot of stuff to read with the exhibits. Lots of interesting artifacts and numerous different kinds of boats. My kids' favorite was the diving bell helmet which, if you are small enough, you can fit your head into and pretend you are deep sea exploring. The replica ship was fun too. Imagine 40 men living in this small space, while fighting naval battles as well. There are 18 (?) buildings so be prepared to stay a while, at least 2 or 3 hours, even if you go through quickly.

juddk_13

The Maritime Museum is a wonderful place to explore the maritime history of Lake Champlain. Be sure to visit the archaeology building. They always have new discoveries going on. The replica of the Philadelphia gives a good sense of what historic water travel would have been like. A lot to see and do for adults and children.

Grandmasfootsteps

We visited the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum many years ago with our children, more than once. There was plenty for them to do and see, special events for kids, and we would bring a picnic, We returned by ourselves many years later, this Sunday. It was the two-day Abenaki Heritage Weekend, with four tribes represented; there was drumming, story telling, dancing, singing, arts and crafts - something for everyone to enjoy! We toured all of the exhibits, and enjoyed the beauty of the setting on Lake Champlain. The season opens May 31st and ends on October 12th in 2014. You can go to their website to get more information. In the museum admissions center you can get cold drinks and snacks, and there is a wonderful store devoted to all things maritime - books, toys, T-shirts and souvenirs.

tecmarsa

Well worth the visit for anyone interested in the importan Naval History of lake Champlain. Nice gift shop with great selection of books on US navel history. Has working copy of one of the gunboats that fought in Benedict Arnolds navy which although defeated held back the British invasion from Canada for a year. Does not open until Memorial day.