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Centennial Site
Crown Point State Historic Site
R.D. #1, Box 219
Crown Point, NY 12928
(518) 597-3666Fax: (518) 597-4666
http://www.nysparks.state.ny.us
Long before the American Revolution, the British and French both claimed Crown Point in the struggle for the North American empire. Four failed campaigns to oust the French between 1755 and 1758 were mounted by the British. It was not until 1759, however, that the French Fort St. Frederic was taken over by the British.
The British immediately began construction of "His Majesty's Fort of Crown Point." This extremely ambitious fortification complex resulted in the British conquest of Canada, the last French stronghold, and control of Lake Champlain as a communication highway.
In 1775, at the outbreak of the Revolutionary War, the rebellious colonists captured the fort and secured sorely needed cannons and heavy ordnance. Crown Point was occupied by Gen. John Burgoyne's army in 1777 after the American evacuation to Mount Independence and remained under British control until the end of the war.
The ruins of Fort St. Frederic, "His Majesty's Fort of Crown Point," and surrounding lands were donated to the State of New York in 1910. Guests can see the ruins of the original 18th-century structures and, in the Visitor Center, view exhibits that interpret the French, British and American chapters of Crown Point's history.
Crown Point State Historic Site is open mid-May through October, Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday, 1-5 p.m. The site is also open Independence Day and Labor Day. Other days in the year, it is open by appointment. The grounds are open year round. There is a vehicle access fee of $4 per car or truck, $25 for non-profit organization buses and $50 for scheduled bus tours. There is a charge of $1 per person for school groups.