The 18th Century will meet the 21st this summer behind the thick walls of Fort William Henry Museum. The Museum opens May 1 for its 2022 schedule of daily tours, and new this year is an augmented reality exhibit. Visitors may download an app to their mobile devices for an experience that puts them in the thick of the 1757 siege that led to the surrender, massacre and destruction of the British Fort.
“Fort William Henry is ushering in a new era of engagement by collaborating with various stakeholders and partners,” says Kathy Muncil, president and CEO of Fort William Henry Corporation in a press release. “These enhancements are the first of many to come to understand our collections better and tell the story of Fort William Henry’s deep and rich heritage in a more inclusive and accessible way.”
The augmented reality experience features an aerial view of the fort, the Entrenched Camp, and the French siegeworks firing at the fort. Users can manipulate the AR by moving their phones to explore the surrounding area. The image reflects one day of the siege, August 8, 1757.
The Fort is currently offering two different tours, the Daytime Living History Tour and the Weekend Haunted History Tour. The Living History Tours are led by Colonial soldiers and feature live musket and cannon firings, 18th Century games and an opportunity for kids to join the King’s army.
The Haunted History Tour is a little less kid-friendly. The current fort, built in the 1950s, is a replica of the original 1755 structure and is built on the original fort footprint. The bloody history of the grounds has given rise to many tales of paranormal activity. Fort employees, over the years, have reported strange happenings. A crew from A&E’s show Ghost Hunters visited Fort William Henry in 2010 and reported heavy footsteps, flickering lights and battling apparitions. The Haunted History Tour delves into these stories, and visitors on the tour may even experience their own brush with the netherworld.
Fort William Henry, 48 Canada Street, Lake George, will be open daily from May 1 to October 30, 2022, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Visitors are encouraged to purchase tickets ahead of time online. Same-day tickets may be purchased at the Fort’s Admission Booth.