SHELBURNE, Vt. (August 21, 2025) — In 1955, the Ticonderoga made its remarkable overland journey from Lake Champlain to Shelburne Museum, where it has remained “docked” in its grassy basin ever since. Today, the 220-foot landmark remains one of the most iconic and beloved structures on the museum’s campus. To commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Ticonderoga’s arrival, Shelburne Museum will host a weekend-long celebration packed with activities for all ages, September 11–14, 2025.

“The Ticonderoga is one of Shelburne Museum’s most iconic and beloved structures. As a ship on land, surrounded by gardens, the Ti’s very presence in the center of campus epitomizes all that founder Electra Havemeyer Webb aimed to achieve in creating what she called an ‘educational project, varied and alive’ that engenders wonder, surprise, and joyful learning for all ages,” said Thomas Denenberg, John Wilmerding Director and CEO of Shelburne Museum. “We are thrilled to welcome our community to celebrate this extraordinary piece of history and reflect on ongoing preservation efforts that keep its marvelous story alive.”

The restored steamboat, a designated National Historic Landmark, is the last walking beam side-wheel passenger steamer in existence. Built in Shelburne in 1906, the Ticonderoga operated as a day boat on Lake Champlain, serving ports along the New York and Vermont shores until 1953. In 1955, it was moved two miles overland from the lake to Shelburne Museum in 62 days, a remarkable engineering effort that stands as one of the great feats of maritime preservation.

The preserved Ticonderoga portrays life on board in 1923. The ship’s carved and varnished woodwork, gilded ceilings, staterooms, grand staircase, and dining room evoke the elegance of steamboat travel. Visitors can explore the Ticonderoga’s four decks, massive engine, pilot house, galley, and crew’s quarters; special guided tours are also offered daily during the regular season, which ends this year on October 26.

Festivities begin with “A Toast to the Ti” on Thursday, September 11 at 5:30 p.m. Guests are invited aboard the Ticonderoga’s decks for an evening of history, storytelling, and refreshments. Guides will share fascinating tales of the steamboat’s storied past, and Chip Stulen, Director of Preservation, will provide insight into current and ongoing restoration projects. Tickets for this special event are $70 and require advance registration.

On Saturday, September 13, visitors can retrace history with a guided walk along the path the Ticonderoga traveled when it was towed from Lake Champlain to the museum. The two-mile, round-trip walk begins at Shelburne Bay Park and includes fun facts along the route. Later in the day, Richard Strum, author of Ticonderoga: Lake Champlain Steamboat and a member of the 1992–1997 restoration team, will deliver a lecture reflecting on the vessel’s legacy.

The celebration continues on Sunday, September 14, with TiconderYOGA, a special all-levels yoga class held on the Ticonderoga’s decks. That afternoon, Vermont Folklife will host a listening party, exploring the voices, memories, and cultural significance of the steamboat in Vermont’s history.

Additional activities throughout the weekend include family-friendly artmaking workshops and programs designed to engage visitors with the Ticonderoga’s past, present, and future.

For tickets, registration, and more information, visit https://shelburnemuseum.org/calendar/ 

A Toast to the Ti
Thursday, September 11, 5:30–7:30 p.m.
Join us for a sunset toast to the beloved Ticonderoga! In honor of this 70-year milestone, come board the gangway for rare after-hours access. $70. Registration required.

Ti Haul Trail Walk
Saturday, September 13, 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Follow the path the Ticonderoga took to get to the Museum from Lake Champlain to the Museum, learning fun facts along the way. Two miles roundtrip. Start at Shelburne Bay Park, 1467 Bay Road, Shelburne, Vermont. Free!

Artmaking
Saturday, September 13, 10:30–11:30 a.m. and 1:00–2:00 p.m.
Artists of all ages can commemorate the day with their own Ti art.

Ti Talk with Richard Strum
Saturday, September 13, 2:00–3:00 p.m.
Ticonderoga: The Last of the Lake Champlain Steamers

TiconderYOGA
Sunday, September 14, 8:30–10:00 a.m.
Take a yoga class on the decks of the Ti. $10 for members, $15 for non-members. Registration required.

Artmaking
Sunday, September 14, 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Artists of all ages are invited to make their mark on a shared art project commemorating the Ti.

Listening Party with Vermont Folklife
Sunday, September 14, 1:00–2:15 p.m. Pizzagalli Center for Art and Education, Auditorium.
Come hear stories of the Ti, and tell your own!

Image caption: Post card of the Ticonderoga underway on Lake Champlain. Image courtesy Shelburne Museum. 

Hi-resolution images of the Ticonderoga are available HERE.

About Shelburne Museum
Founded in 1947 by trailblazing folk art collector Electra Havemeyer Webb (1888–1960), Shelburne Museum in Shelburne, Vermont, is the largest art and history museum in northern New England and Vermont’s foremost public resource for visual art and material culture. The Museum’s 45-acre campus is comprised of 39 buildings including the Pizzagalli Center for Art and Education and Webb Gallery featuring important American paintings by Andrew Wyeth, Winslow Homer, Anna Mary Robertson “Grandma” Moses, John Singleton Copley and many more. Construction is underway for the Perry Center for Native American Art, designed in partnership with Indigenous voices and devoted to the stewardship and exhibition of the Native American art in the museum’s care, scheduled to open in 2027. For more information, please visit shelburnemuseum.org.   

For media inquiries, please contact: 
Leslie Wright
Director of Marketing and Communications
Shelburne Museum
lwright@shelburnemuseum.org
802-985-0880

Kristen Levesque
Kristen Levesque Public Relations
kristen@kristenlevesquepr.com
207-329-3090