Amid the fanfare surrounding the country’s 250th anniversary, Americans have celebrated as only Americans can: with spectacles — parades, concerts and, for reasons that still aren’t entirely clear, an MMA fight on the White House lawn. The past several months have also been a boon for a unique subset of celebrants: military reenactors.
Reenactments of famous Revolutionary War battles have erupted on land, from New York to Georgia. This Sunday, October 11, the action moves to the waters of Lake Champlain: a reenactment of the first naval clash of the war, the Battle of Valcour Island.
Organized by Craig Russell, a retired Plattsburgh music teacher, the event will include some 16 wooden ships piloted by naval reenactors from around the country — a little less than half the actual number of vessels in the original battle. Six will fly the colonial Grand Union flag; 10 will bear the British red ensign with its Union Jack.
Because the shoreline around Valcour Bay is largely privately owned, the reenactment will occur a few miles north, in Plattsburgh Bay. The day begins at the Plattsburgh City Beach with a performance by the U.S. Navy Band. Following the laying of a wreath to commemorate the battle, American Legion members will fire a ceremonial three-volley salute. Then all eyes will turn to the water.
According to Russell, who will sail in his gunboat General Arnold, rechristened Congress for the occasion, the reenactment will encompass key points of the battle in 10-minute increments, condensing the multiday conflict into about 60 to 90 minutes — provided the weather doesn’t complicate navigation. Local historian John Kreuger will narrate the action. Russell said the best vantage to watch will be from the beach and not, for hardy sailors whose boats are still in the water, out on the lake.
Russell, 74, doesn’t consider himself a historian. But he’s been a reenactor since 1965 and is a regular at the re-creation of battles around the Northeast. He has helped coordinate several restagings of the Battle of Plattsburgh, fought during the War of 1812. He sews his own replica uniforms and is a skilled leatherworker and blacksmith. He helped build the replica of the Philadelphia at the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum in Vergennes, which won’t sail in the Valcour reenactment. Along with Fort Ticonderoga and the town of Panton, the museum is coordinating a reenactment of its own on Monday, October 12, at Arnold’s Bay in Panton, where the fighting ended.
Choreographing the Valcour battle has been a challenge, Russell said, and will rely on precise synchronization among the ships.
“Things could go awry,” he said. “But that’s any reenactment.” ➆
250th Commemoration and Battle of Valcour Island Reenactment, Sunday, October 11, 10 a.m., at Plattsburgh City Beach in Plattsburgh, N.Y. Free.
The original print version of this article was headlined “Fire the Cannons! | Plattsburgh hosts a naval reenactment of the Battle of Valcour Island”
More About the Battle of Valcour Island
The Champlain Valley Remembers the Battle of Valcour Island
Starring Benedict Arnold, the conflict on Lake Champlain 250 years ago was the most important Revolutionary War fight you’ve never heard of.
‘Fragments’ Brings the Battle of Valcour Island to Life
An exhibit at the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum sheds new light on heroism and humanity during a key Revolutionary War fight
Plattsburgh Re-creates the Battle of Valcour Island
The naval reeneactment on Platssburgh Bay is one of many Champlain Valley events celebrating the battle’s 250th anniversary.
Valcour Island’s Unknown Soldiers Are Finally Laid to Rest
Unidentified remains from the Revolutionary War battle on Lake Champlain will be given a full military funeral in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
This article appears in October 7 • 2026.
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