Among the Ruins: Archaeological Conservation & Historic Preservation at Crown Point Historic Site

Crown Point State Historic Site, located on a rocky peninsula on Lake Champlain in northern New York, was a major 18th-century military site, active in both the Seven Years War and the American Revolution. Today, Crown Point State Historic Site preserves the ruins of two large forts, French Fort Saint Frédéric and His Majesty’s Fort at Crown Point, as well as the remains of numerous outer fortifications, a village site, and other 18th- and 19th-century structures. Preserving these cultural resources is challenging and varied strategies have been used to maintain these ruins as ruins and to preserve the historic landscape of which they were part.

During the presentation, Sam Huntington, historic site manager with NYS Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, will focus on the history of Crown Point, the preservation efforts of the last century, and the continuing challenges and opportunities the site faces today. The talk will provide an overview of the 18th- and 19th-century history of the Crown Point peninsula, as well as a look back at the first 100 years of historic preservation and archaeological conservation. The lecture will then outline current strategies, new challenges, and new opportunities in the field of preservation and historical interpretation. Discussion will include topics ranging from technical aspects preservation and conservation to emerging opportunities in the field of public history and preservation.