BASTIONS ON THE BORDER: The Great Stone Forts at Rouses Point on Lake Champlain

October 4, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

America's Historic Lakes is pleased to announce that South Hero, Vermont author and historian Jim Millard's newest book is now available.

BASTIONS ON THE BORDER:

The Great Stone Forts at Rouses Point on Lake Champlain

This important new book, a decade in the writing, covers in great detail the remarkable story of the last fortifications erected on Lake Champlain. The book examines the long misunderstood story of Fort "Blunder", constructed here between 1816-1818, and explains how it was that this first fort was actually built on Canadian soil while a second, larger fort, built at the same location was not. Millard clears up  much of the mystery surrounding the border controversy between the US and Canada/Great Britain and shows how close the nations actually came to war again after the War of 1812.

The 212 page book utilizes original plans, documents and vintage photos to explain how huge Fort Montgomery was built over a thirty-year period and how it was maintained, usually by a "garrison" of one man. It examines the fort, then and now, in great detail, and finally, shows how it was largely demolished during the Depression; its great limestone blocks crushed as fill for the new Rouses Point-Alburgh Bridge.

"Bastions on the Border..." is the second book Millard has written on the fortifications in the Rouses Point, New York/Alburgh, Vermont area. It features over 200 photos and illustrations, most never before published.

More information about Vermont author Jim Millard:

http://www.historiclakes.org/jmillard/jmillard.html

Published by America's Historic Lakes 

http://www.historiclakes.org 

ROUSES POINT, NY – The Rouses Point/Champlain Historical Society, America's Historic Lakes, Powertex, Inc. and Stephen and Victor Podd announce the first ever Fort Montgomery Days Heritage Weekend.

Historic Fort Montgomery, recently designated a "Seven to Save" Site by the Preservation League of New York State, will be celebrated in a very special 2-day event.  This important Nineteenth Century fort, constructed at the same location as the infamous Fort “Blunder,” is the only Civil War era fort on Lake Champlain. Erected in a strategic location along the border of the United States and Canada, Fort Montgomery was the last in a long line of important fortifications built along this historic waterway. The Fort is privately owned and access to the public has been restricted to small, private tours for many years. For this celebration, however, certain areas of the fort will be open to the public free of charge.

These tours will be guided by Fort Montgomery historian and author Jim Millard. Jim is the publisher of the popular America's Historic Lakes website, "Fort Montgomery through the Years," an upcoming new book, "Bastions on the Border- The Great Stone Forts at Rouses Point on Lake Champlain," and a number of other local history titles.

Other activities scheduled for the weekend include Civil War re-enactments with the Montreal Grays & Blues, live musical entertainment provided by Laura Capito, Friends Union, Staber & Chasnoff and Tom Ventiquattro (Tom24). There will be vendors on site, displays of artifacts, vintage photos, maps and plans.

Gates open at 8:00 am both days. The Welcome Ceremony will be held at 9:30 am Saturday, September 12.

Updated information including a current schedule of events is available on the event web page: http://historiclakes.org/fortmontgomerydays.htm. 

The Fort Montgomery Days event will take place at the Fort in the vicinity of Powertex, Inc., 1 Lincoln Blvd. Rouses Point, New York. Rouses Point is easily accessible via US Interstate 87 and US Route 9 from points south and west, Routes 15, 221 and 223 from Quebec, and US Route 2 from Vermont. It is located but an hour from Montreal. The Village is served by Amtrak’s Adirondack.

Fort photos for news media use available upon request at fortmontgomery@historiclakes.org .