Regional 250th Meeting

On June 21, over 50 planners from five states gathered at Fort Ticonderoga to collaborate on 250th planning for the upcoming anniversaries.

The group has been meeting roughly quarterly since the summer of 2022. Because so much of our history crosses state borders, there was a desire to see if it’s possible to plan 250th plans that cross state lines. At Ticonderoga, that effort expanded to include planners from Canada as well. A special effort was made to invite representatives of historical societies along the route taken by those who participated in the Capture of Fort Ticonderoga.

The meeting included representatives from New York, Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Canada. The meeting was organized by Jonah Spivak in his role as a VT 250th Anniversary Commissioner and chair of the Bennington 250th Anniversary Committee. The staff at Fort Ticonderoga were amazing hosts and provided behind the scenes tours of the fort and collections, as well as an evening boat tour onboard the Carillion.

The meeting opened with and introduction by Jonah Spivak, a welcome by Fort Ticonderoga president and CEO Beth Hill, remarks by America250 Chair Rosie Rios, and reports on 250th plans by representatives of the five states and Canada.

After the main business meeting, task forces meet on the topics of Marketing and Outreach, Education, and the Capture of Fort Ticonderoga.

The group will meet again in September.