All special events held rain or shine 10am to 5pm, and are are included with regular museum admission,
unless otherwise noted. Exhibit buildings and performance areas at the museum are wheelchair accessible. Access to the waterfront is limited for people with mobility challenges. For ASL interpretation of performances, please contact the museum five days in advance.
Special Events Calendar 2010
Champlain Longboats Launch Day
May 20, 2010
LCMM’s on-water season officially begins with the launching of a 25-foot pilot gig. This beautiful watercraft is built at the LCMM Boat Shop from January to May by students and staff from the Diversified Occupations Program of the Patricia Hannaford Career Center. Student boat builders speak about their experiences and then lead an on-water “parade” of student-built pilot gigs.
Opening Weekend
May 22, 2010
Join us on May 22 for LCMM's 2009 opening day!
Spring Wave
May 22, 2010
Champlain Longboats' annual youth rowing event at Button Bay attracts over 100 youth rowers from Vermont and New England. A series of three timed races highlight the day. The races culminate with the “mess-about” where teams mix up their crews randomly in an exercise of social and maritime skills. Everyone is a winner at this exciting day on the water! Crews must sign up in advance. Call 475-2022 x113 for details.
Kids Pirate Festival - ARGGGGH!
June 5-6, 2010
Swashbuckle your way back to the era of discovery and exploration! Kids get creative with dramatic play, sing-alongs, and make-and-take crafts for the whole family. Enjoy exciting, pirate-themed activities and live performances with guest artists. Build your maritime skills, orienteer your way around the museum grounds on a treasure hunt, and meet some colorful characters from the past!
Native American Encampment
June 19-20, 2010
(to be confirmed)
Dressed in clothing faithful to 1609, members of El-nu and Missisquoi Abenaki portray their ancestors and share traditional life skills, diplomacy, and weapons. Fredrick M. Wiseman, PhD will narrate a comparison of the early seventeenth century Native and European transportation, navigation, clothing, arms, armour, food, healing, and how these cultures began the process of adapting to each other.
Dr. Wiseman will also present his newest publications, At Lake Between, Champlain Tech, and Baseline 1609 (all currently available at our online store). Dr. Wiseman’s research combines European sources, Wabanaki Wampum Records, and the use of replica tools, weapons, and clothing, to provide new insight into this era. The event will include a book signing, film showings, Native American weapons and armor, and much more.
Gala Raffle Fundraiser July 10, 2010
The Lake Champlain Maritime Museum’s Annual Gala Raffle is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the Museum! This event raises over $40,000 each year for one of the Museum’s greatest needs, operational support. Without the generous and faithful support of local businesses and museum members and guests, this would not be possible. See some of the prizes and how to get your tickets to this Gala Raffle...
Small Boat Festival
July 17-18, 2010
Celebrate clean, green, sustainable fun! Looking for recreation and vacation opportunities that are close to home, affordable, and good for the environment? That is just what small boats are!
Welcome, Vermont Public Television Members! Free admission on Saturday, July 17th, 2010 for all VPT members on this VPT Family Day.
Lake Champlain Challenge Race – participants bring your own non-motorized boat, kayak, or canoe to row or paddle in this three-mile race (for details contact Nick Patch nickp@lcmm.org).
Rabble in Arms
August 21-22, 2010
Welcome back to this LCMM favorite event! Stroll the grounds and chat with 18th-century reenactors as they share their knowledge and skills. Learn about the way of life for those in the American Revolution - men in battle, camp followers that accompanied and assisted the troops, and the shipbuilders and blacksmiths that prepared the fleet. Step aboard Benedict Arnold's gunboat replica Philadelphia II in North Harbor for shipboard life demonstrations and more!
Archaeology Day
September 25, 2010
Join us for presentations on Lake Champlain shipwrecks featuring some of our latest explorations including early steamboats, gunboats, sailing vessels and canal boats. Learn what threatens the lake’s collection of shipwrecks and what you can do to help protect and preserve underwater cultural resources. Special demonstrations in the Conservation Lab, lectures and films.
Storytelling Festival
October 16, 2010
Gather on board a wooden ship, beside a crackling fire, or in an intimate theater to experience Lake Champlain in song and story. Hear some of the region’s best storytellers, historians and musicians share the lake’s history and legends.
James Wakefield Rescue Row
Date TBD
On December 9th, 1876, the crew of the canal schooner General Butler was stranded atop the breakwater in Burlington, VT, after their boat sank during a terrible winter storm. They were rescued by James Wakefield and his son, who rowed out to save them. Every year, the Champlain Longboats program commemorates this heroic event with a youth rowing race in Burlington, VT; we expect over one hundred participants! Races begin at 9:30am at the Burlington Community Boat House.
Closing Day
October 17, 2010
