Celebrate Champlain

French explorer Samuel de Champlain gave us the first written account of Lake Champlain in his July 1609 journal. Photo: Wikimedia.

Samuel de Champlain’s legacy went beyond his initial visit: the region was part of New France for the next 150 years, and many New Yorkers and Vermonters have French ancestry linked to his successful settlement of Québec. In 2009, the people of the region commemorated the 400th anniversary of the explorer’s arrival and celebrated the place called “Champlain.” The Lake Champlain Basin Program and the Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership were integral partners in commemoration.

“Stories from the Lake”

Vermont Public Radio marked the quadricentennial with this series. Hear the stories of shipwrecks, early settlers and war heroes, and learn how industry and tourism have changed the lake. Listen to VPR’s Stories from the Lake →

“Dead Reckoning: Champlain in America”

Mountain Lake PBS in New York produced the first historically accurate, animated documentary on Samuel de Champlain to be broadcast in the United States and Canada. Watch the “Dead Reckoning” preview →

Ships Logs of Lois McClure

The crew of the Schooner Lois McClure share their experiences from the Quadricentennial Tour. Their logs offer a glimpse of her ports of call and the people who welcomed her. Read the Lois McClure’s ships logs →

Celebrating a Landscape of Culture and Ideas

The Essex County Historical Society created the site to provide public access to the Jack LaDuke Quadricentennial Commemorative Photograph Collection. Browse the collection and exhibits library →