Fort Ticonderoga was one out of 18 institutions to be awarded a grant of $88,227 by the National Endowment for the Humanities. The grant supports a two-week NEH Summer Institute for teachers come July 2021, titled: “For the Common Defense: Subjects, Citizens, and America’s Military Origins, 1609-1815.”

“This prestigious grant allows Fort Ticonderoga an unparalleled opportunity to play a vital part in educating and inspiring America’s youth through their teachers’ participation in this program,” said Beth L Hill, Fort Ticonderoga president and CEO. “Fort Ticonderoga is a national leader in teacher education and this program adds to our diverse offerings and increased reach.”

Rich Strum, Fort Ticonderoga Director of Academic Programs and the NEH Project Director for the Summer Institute in 2021 is excited to welcome the 25 teachers to Fort Ticonderoga in order to take part in their summer institute. “Providing these NEH summer scholars with a unique learning experience combining a prestigious group of visiting scholars and the talented staff and amazing resources at Fort Ticonderoga makes for a very memorable experience. It’s gratifying to think of the long-term impact an opportunity like this has on teachers and their future students for years to come.” Says Strum.

The residential NEH Summer Institute for Teachers will be offered on July 11^th through July 23^rd, 2021 at no cost to its participants. Its participants will also be receiving a $2,200 stipend to help mitigate their expenses. Teachers who wish to earn graduate credits may also do so via Castleton University in Vermont.

Those visiting during the summer will include prominent historians in their fields including Andrew Buchanan (University of Vermont), James Kirby Martin (University of Houston, emeritus), Holly Mayer (Duquesne University), Jon Parmenter (Cornell University), Maeve Kane (The University at Albany), and Douglas Egerton (Le Moyne College). Participating teachers will have the opportunity to learn and discuss America’s military origins with these scholars, utilizing the wide array of resources which Fort Ticonderoga provides.

Fort Ticonderoga has hosted NEH Landmarks of American History and Culture Workshops for School Teachers in the past years, (2011, 2014, 2015, and 2016) and offers the annual Fort Ticonderoga Teacher Institute every summer. The 2021 July Institute focuses on “Exploration, Empire, and Revolution: American Origins 1609-1815.”

To learn more about programs for educators, visit the Fort Ticonderoga website at www.fortticonderoga.org.