History & Holidays at Fort William Henry offers 18th Century family fun this winter

The Fort William Henry Museum has launched a new event, History & Holidays, for winter 2024. The fort entrance is lit with a string of blue holiday lights, and the boom of cannon fire has been replaced with music, Andy Williams singing “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” These signs of the season at the reconstructed fort fit right in with Lake George’s village-wide holiday celebration — Fort William Henry is flanked to the North and South by the Lights at the Lake light displays — but, according to Museum Operations Director Ken Mark, in 1757, when the original fort was garrisoned by Colonial troops, Christmas celebrations were considered Pagan and not allowed.

Mark says they created the History & Holidays event as “a way for us to tell a good story.” It is the story of how men and women lived during the bitter cold Lake George winters and how they observed Christmas at the head of the frozen lake. History & Holidays brings that story to life and blends it with modern celebrations.

The Lake George Examiner visited the fort Friday evening and found Army Ranger Lt. Zak Horan leading guided military historical tours that focus on winter life at the fort. Mary Beth Schwartz, in period dress, was engaging visitors with interactive games and crafts.

Out on the parade ground, a burning fire pit offered warmth and an opportunity to roast marshmallows— the fixings for s’mores, along with hot chocolate, eggnog, and apple cider, are available at a snack bar in the Sutler’s Shop.

Guests can glide from the fort’s upper level onto the Parade Ground along the Cannonball Express, a no-snow toboggan slide, and once some snow has fallen, the fort plans to build a Native American snow snake in the courtyard, a game that has players launching a javelin along a curving track of snow.

*Museum Operations Director Ken Mark demonstrates the Cannonball Express no-snow slide.*

Inside, visitors can listen to stories, try their hand at 18^th Century crafts and play games, some old such as Shut the Box and Ring Toss, as well as modern games including Jenga and Connect Four. The Connect Four game comes with a story.

The large plastic yard game set up in the museum lobby is obviously a modern toy, but Mark tells the story of 18^th Century British Explorer Captain James Cook who had a similar game on his ship. Legend has it that Cook became so obsessed with playing the game that his crew took to calling it “Captain’s Mistress.”

Admission to Fort William Henry’s History & Holidays includes all events and activities.

History & Holidays Pricing:

Adults: $19.95
Kids and Students: $14.95
Fort William Henry Hotel Guests and Breakfast with Santa Participants: $5.00 off
Groups of 15 or more (booked in advance): $5.00 off

Note: Discounts cannot be combined.

Days and Hours of Operation:

November 30 – December 29: Fridays & Saturdays 12:30 – 8:00 p.m.; Sundays 12:30 – 6:00 p.m.
December 30 – January 5: Monday – Saturday 12:30 – 8:00 p.m.; Sunday 12:30 – 6:00 p.m.
January 18 – 19: Saturday 12:30 – 8:00 p.m.; Sunday 12:30 – 6:00 p.m.
February 1 – 16: Saturdays 12:30 – 8:00 p.m.; Sundays 12:30 – 6:00 p.m.
February 17 – 23: Monday – Saturday 12:30 – 8:00 p.m.; Sunday 12:30 – 6:00 p.m.

Tickets to Holidays & History may be purchased online at the Fort William Henry Museum website.