Monday, October 12, 2026

VERGENNES, VT – It is with deep concern that we confirm that unknown individuals entered the visitor center building at Lake Champlain Maritime Museum and took a donation box with at least $1,000 of public donations and an iPad. The robbery was discovered on the morning of Sunday, October 11, as the Museum was opening for a special day commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Valcour Bay. No individuals were hurt, and all other buildings and property are secure. There is an active investigation into the robbery being conducted by the Vermont State Police; individuals with information should contact VSP.

Lake Champlain Maritime Museum is a free museum for all visitors – the Museum famously eliminated admission fees in 2021. Community support, museum membership, and donations from individuals make free admission possible. The donations in the box were all contributions from Museum visitors – individuals who chose to give what they could to support the Museum over the past month.

“This hurts the Museum, our community, and our staff,” said Chris Sabick, executive director of Lake Champlain Maritime Museum. “That box contained donations from neighbors, friends, and visitors who chose to give their money to support the Museum. It’s truly demoralizing to think that someone would take that. We’re grateful to our community for their support through this and our team is committed to keeping the doors open for all for our final week of the 2026 season. Please come visit us, connect with us, and celebrate what makes this community and Museum special.”

A seasonal museum, Lake Champlain Maritime Museum is open to visitors from May through October each year. The Museum is open from 10 am–4 pm every day through Sunday, October 18.