Today we are excited to announce that we are eliminating admission fees for 2021, making it free for everyone to visit. The Museum will be open from May 22–Oct. 17 featuring new all-outside exhibits, self-guided tours, and more.
Last March, we made the difficult decision to remain closed for the 2020 season due to COVID-19. Amid the unprecedented challenges caused by the global pandemic, our team found new ways to stay connected with enthusiastic audiences of all ages and continued to share important stories of history and ecology. The 2021 season will invest in these successes, increase access for all to the region’s history and environment, and further the our Museum’s commitment to building a healthier and stronger community through several new initiatives:
- No admission fees: The Museum will be free for all visitors and open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m from May 22 to October 17. To ensure easy access and safety for all, the Museum will be entirely outside with self-guided tour options for guests to explore the three-acre campus. Indoor galleries will remain closed.
- Outside and online exhibits: In 2021 we will install two new exhibits onsite and online. Prohibition in the Champlain Valley and Lake Health will bring together stories from the region’s history, archaeology, and ecology. These new exhibits will explore the complex relationships between government and individuals, examine the natural and man-made threats to the lake, and inspire action and present-day connections. In addition, other outside exhibits and experiences at the museum include Women at the Helm, Maritime History on Display, the museum’s replica Revolutionary War gunboat Philadelphia II displayed “on the hard” on the museum grounds, and the replica canal schooner Lois McClure docked in North Harbor for the 2021 season. Visitors can step aboard the Lois McClure every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
- Pay-What-You-Can summer camps and expeditions: As previously announced, the museum introduced a new tuition model for all summer camps and teen expeditions to make sure that all children have equal access to a great summer on Lake Champlain. Families can see the 2021 camps and expeditions line-up and register online at www.lcmm.org/Camps.
“Lake Champlain Maritime Museum tells the stories of the Champlain Valley in a way that encourages visitors to look to the past and see what is possible for the future” said executive director Susan Evans McClure. “We want people to see Lake Champlain as their lake, and we are committed to removing barriers that prevent people from accessing this history, their lake, and the museum.”
The 2021 season of exhibits, free admission, and pay-what-you-can camps and expeditions are made possible with support from Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership, Lake Champlain Basin Program, and the museum’s members and donors.
We will be regularly sharing updates on exhibits and season events right here on our website and social media. Follow along and we look forward to seeing you all back at the Museum!
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