Always Wear A Helmet

Founded as Skenesborough by British soldier Philip Skene in 1759, Whitehall became an important commercial harbor.  Eventually, on May 9, 1775, Benedict Arnold captured a schooner which became the first ship of the United States Navy.  This also made Whitehall the "Birthplace of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps."  (Interestingly, going to the Cape Ann, Massachusetts area, both Marblehead and Beverly, MA, make this same claim - there has been a continuous debate for a number of years between both cities for this title.  I was visiting Annapolis in May of 2002 and asked the guide her opinion.  Since she was a native of the State of New York, she chose to go the Whitehall route.)  In the summer of 1776, 13 United States Navy ships were built at Skenesborough Harbor under orders of Washington, Trumball, and Gates.

The Skenesborough Urban Cultural Park Visitor Center features a variety of Revolutionary War artifacts, displays, dioramas (a diorama of Skenesborough Harbor and 1776 shipyard where 12 of the first naval ships were built), and more.  The museum is located on Skenesborough Drive in Whitehall, New York, overlooking the Champlain Canal.  From outside the museum visitors are able to see the hull of the U.S.S. Ticonderoga, and a caboose which both signify the importance of the canal and railroad the development of the community.

The museum is open mid June through Labor Day seven days a week from 10 to 4; from Labor Day to mid-October on weekends only.  People can also make an appointment to visit.  Call (518) 499-0716 for more information.