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400 years in the making
The 400th anniversary of Samuel de Champlain’s journey through Lake Champlain is almost here, and the town of Plattsburgh is getting ready to celebrate.
It’s a tradition not like any other. This summer, Plattsburgh will be celebrating the 400 year anniversary of Samuel de Champlain’s journey through Lake Champlain. The Qudricentennial will stretch nearly 400 miles, from Canada all the way to Manhattan, to commemorate the explorer’s historic journeys, findings, and place in history.
“This really is a labor of love that the residents of Plattsburgh have been putting together.”
Almost a century ago, the town of Plattsburgh was transformed to accommodate the 300th anniversary of Champlain’s journey, according to David Patrick, local history buff and essayist on the Samuel de Champlain monuments in Plattsburgh and Crown Point. Distinguished guests included President William H. Taft who came to Plattsburgh to join in the celebration, Patrick adds.
With events for the Quadricentennial already starting, the celebration seems like quite the gala event.This year, even the Plattsburgh Mayor’s Cup is looking to tie their event in with the theme of the Quadricentennial. “There’s so much going on,” Plattsburgh Quadricentennial committee chairwoman Jennifer La Fontaine says.
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Events in the Plattsburgh area include speakers at SUNY Plattsburgh, the rededication of Samuel de Champlain’s monument on Cumberland Avenue, and a Caravan des Arts where Champlain himself will come back to see how life in the arts has changed 400 years later.
“This really is a labor of love that the residents of Plattsburgh have been putting together,” La Fontaine says.
Other events in the Plattsburgh area include a Lake Champlain art exhibit from artist Samir Sammoun, as well as a history conference featuring local historians held at SUNY Plattsburgh.
400 years could not have gone by so fast for Samuel de Champlain, who still watches in statue form over the lake he founded. On a crisp spring evening, the monument to his explorations looks out and over the beautiful landscape of blossoming trees and calm waters. His presence is royal and majestic as he permanently stands over the lake he founded so long ago.
Throughout most of his life, Champlain explored the area of present day Nova Scotia and Quebec, mapping the areas coastline. In 1607 he returned to his home country France, only to leave a year later.
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He founded a new area that would ultimately become present-day Quebec, according to the Dictionary of American History. The historical dictionary also states that the following summer, in 1609, Champlain teamed up with local native tribes in a battle against the Iroquois tribe.
It was there, where he made his way through winding rivers to the lake that is still named after him today. Now, Champlain stands as a constant reminder to everyone who passes by that his legacy and place in history is as concrete as ever.
To uphold the legacy of his exploration, Celine Paquette has been putting her heart and soul into the Quadricentennial for the past seven years. Since she was appointed the chair of the state commission for the Quadricentennnial, she has committed her time into planning events and tying together Clinton, Essex and Washington counties in hopes of promoting an event enjoyable to people of all ages.
“It’s continuous,” Paquette says. “It’s every day.”
However, her busy schedule won’t bring her down. The Quadricentennial, which has already kicked off with some events in the area, is nearly ready to uphold the legacy of one of history’s most distinguished explorers.
For more information on the Qudricentennial, or for a full list of events outside the Plattsburgh area, log on to http://www.discoverlakechamplain400.org.
Will you be attending any of the Quadricentennial events?
Samuel de Champlain: