WHITEHALL’S NAVAL HERITAGE WEEKEND / ARNOLD’S NAVY
Friday, Oct. 2nd & Saturday, Oct. 3rd
EVENT OVERVIEW
Whitehall’s Naval Heritage Weekend is a multi-faceted historical experience combining expert-led tours, nationally recognized speakers, family-friendly programming, and community celebration. Through immersive storytelling and festivities, the weekend brings to life the events surrounding the Battle of Valcour Bay and their lasting impact on American history.
ARNOLD’S NAVY
October 2–3, 2026 | Whitehall, New York
Join historians, scholars, and the community for a two-day commemoration of one of the most consequential naval campaigns of the American Revolution. Whitehall’s Naval Heritage Weekend honors the 250th anniversary of Benedict Arnold’s northern naval campaign and celebrates Whitehall’s legacy as the birthplace of the Continental Navy.
Friday, October 2
VALCOUR BAY HERITAGE TOUR
Curated by Dr. Bruce Venter & Chris Sabick
Step into history with a guided heritage tour tracing the waterways navigated by Benedict Arnold and his fleet during the 1776 campaign.
Tour Experience
- 9 a.m. – Motorcoach departs from The Whitehall Castle (Whitehall Armony) located at 62 Poultney St., Whitehall, NY. Guests welcome to park here.
- Lunch at the Basin Harbor Resort
- Boat excursion following Arnold’s documented retreat route to Button Bay
- Expert interpretation by Dr. Bruce Venter and Chris Sabick throughout the day
Tour Leaders
- Dr. Bruce Venter, President of America’s History LLC, author of The Battle of Hubbardton: The Rear-Guard Action that Saved America, and commissioner on the Saratoga County 250th Commission
- Chris Sabick, Executive Director, Lake Champlain Maritime Museum and renowned nautical archaeologist
Tour Details
- Limited to 43 guests
- $195 per person
- Tickets available at: americashistoryllc.com
- Tour inquiries: info@AmericasHistoryLLC.com
Or call: 703-785-4373 - Guests return to Whitehall between 4pm – 5pm and are invited to a reception (along with the general public). Location TBA
FRIDAY EVENING GATHERING
(Details Coming Soon)
Tour guests and members of the public are invited to enjoy refreshments and a historical talk by:
Bob Mowatt
President, Whitehall Historical Society
Executive Director, Skenesborough Museum
Location and additional details will be announced.
Friday, October 2
MORNING SPEAKER SERIES
Nationally Recognized Historians & Authors
A distinguished panel of historians and authors will explore Benedict Arnold, the northern campaign, and the Battle of Valcour Bay.
Featured Speakers
Speakers are listed alphabetically. Presentation order and schedule will be released later.
Admission is free.
Jack Kelly
Award-winning historian and author of God Save Benedict Arnold (2023) and Valcour: The 1776 Campaign That Saved the Cause of Liberty (2021). Praised by Kirkus Reviews and The Wall Street Journal for vivid, novelistic storytelling of Revolutionary War naval combat.
Jim Nelson
Maritime historian and author of Benedict Arnold’s Navy, detailing the shipbuilding efforts at Skenesborough (modern-day Whitehall) and the naval campaign that shaped the war in the North.
Chris Sabick
Nautical archaeologist known for groundbreaking research on Revolutionary War shipwrecks including the gunboat Spitfire and Arnold’s flagship, the row galley Congress.
SATURDAY BBQ & COMMUNITY GATHERING
Following the speaker series, a community BBQ will be held.
- Open to the public
- Guests may attend the lectures, the BBQ, or both
- Pricing and reservation details will be announced
SATURDAY AFTERNOON CELEBRATION
History Comes Alive in Whitehall
Saturday afternoon transforms Whitehall into a vibrant, family-friendly celebration featuring:
- Live music and entertainment
- Color guard presentation
- Formal awards ceremony
- Interactive education and historical interpretation
- Community showcases and activities for all ages
Additional programming details will be released soon.
THE STRATEGIC IMPACT OF THE BATTLE OF VALCOUR
Although Benedict Arnold’s fleet was largely destroyed, the Battle of Valcour Bay delayed the British advance from Canada and prevented them from reaching Albany before the winter of 1776. This crucial delay allowed the Continental Army to regroup and prepare, directly contributing to the American victory at Saratoga the following year.
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