Lake Champlain Maritime Museum facts for kids

The Lake Champlain Maritime Museum (LCMM) is a cool place in Vergennes, Vermont, USA. It's a non-profit maritime museum that helps us learn about the history and amazing discoveries from Lake Champlain. The museum looks after old shipwrecks found in the lake. It also shares stories about the people and culture of the Lake Champlain area by studying old items they find.

A Look Back: The Museum's Story

The museum started in 1985. It first opened its doors to visitors in 1986. Its first home was an old stone schoolhouse. This building was on the grounds of the Basin Harbor Club, right by the lake.

Since then, the LCMM has grown a lot! Now, it has 18 buildings across two locations. These buildings hold many collections and exhibits. There's also a boat shop, a small shipyard, and a place for blacksmiths. You can also find a lab for studying old artifacts and a museum store.

Growing in Burlington

In 2001, the museum expanded to Burlington, Vermont. They opened the Burlington Shipyard about 20 miles north of their main campus. The next year, the museum bought the Capt. White Place. This was a ship captain's home built around 1815. In 2004, the museum moved its Burlington offices and exhibits. They went from the shipyard to the Lyman Building, which is on the Burlington waterfront.

The Spitfire Project

In June 2017, the museum announced a big plan. They want to raise and save the Spitfire. This was a gunboat that sank during the Battle of Valcour Island. This project will cost $44 million and happen in five steps.

Amazing Replica Ships

The museum has a special collection of replica ships. These are copies of old boats! They help us learn about the ships, their crews, and the times they lived in.

Building the First Replicas

The first replica made was the Perseverance. This was a Bateau (a type of flat-bottomed boat) from the French and Indian War era. It was finished in 1986. Everyone was happy with it!

So, the museum then built the Philadelphia II. This was a gunboat from the Revolutionary War. It was launched in 1991. This replica is a very exact copy of the original ship. The real Philadelphia sank during the Battle of Valcour Island. It was later brought up from the lake in 1935. Today, the original ship is kept safe at the Smithsonian Institution.

The Lois McClure

The museum's main ship is the canal schooner Lois McClure. It was launched in 2004. This ship was built by the museum and the Lake Champlain Transportation Company working together. Its design is based on two other old schooners. One was the General Butler, which sank in Burlington Harbor in 1876. The other was the O.J. Walker, which sank in 1895.

Fun Programs and Learning

The LCMM offers many programs. They have educational classes, boatbuilding workshops, and boating activities. They also host talks, annual photography shows, and historical re-enactment events.

Classes and School Visits

The museum offers classes that let you explore the lake. You can also learn traditional crafts. During the winter, museum educators visit schools. They help students learn about the American Revolutionary War. They also teach about 19th-century trade on the lake. Plus, they share information about the amazing old things found in Lake Champlain.

Building Boats with Youth

Youth groups in the area team up with the museum. Together, they build a boat! It might be a Cornish pilot gig or a Whitehall pulling boat. It's a great way to learn teamwork and boatbuilding skills.

Exciting Events

The museum hosts many special events throughout the year.

Lois McClure Tours

In 2005, the Lois McClure toured around Lake Champlain and the Hudson River. In 2007, it went on another tour. This time it explored the New York State Barge Canal, which is like the modern-day Erie Canal.

Annual Fun

Some regular yearly events at the museum include rowing competitions. There's also the Rabble In Arms weekend. This is a historical re-enactment event where people dress up and act out history! You can also enjoy an annual small boat show. Plus, there are exhibits of photos taken by people from all over the region.

See also

• List of maritime museums in the United States
• List of museum ships