Fort Ticonderoga’s Fourteenth Annual Garden & Landscape Symposium Returns April 18
Ready to dig in?
Gardeners across the Adirondacks—and anyone who enjoys the art and science of working with the land—will find inspiration at the Fourteenth Annual Garden & Landscape Symposium at Fort Ticonderoga on Saturday, April 18, 2026. Hosted in the Mars Education Center and available as a hybrid online event via Zoom, this full-day symposium blends horticulture, landscape design, history, and even flavor science into one engaging spring gathering.
Presented by the historic site’s renowned King’s Garden, the symposium invites gardeners of all levels—from seasoned landscape designers to enthusiastic backyard growers—to learn from experts who understand the unique challenges and rewards of gardening in northern climates.
The program runs 8 am – 4 pm and includes a lineup of lectures, discussions, and a catered lunch, offering plenty of opportunities for inspiration before the Adirondack growing season begins in earnest.
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A day of gardening insights for northern climates.
Gardening in the Adirondacks requires equal parts creativity and resilience. Short seasons, unpredictable weather, and rocky soils keep even experienced gardeners on their toes.
That’s exactly why this symposium has become a beloved annual tradition at Fort Ticonderoga.
The day begins with a welcome at 9 am, followed by a timely overview from Fort Ticonderoga’s Horticulturist-in-Residence Ann Hazelrigg, who will reflect on the challenges of the 2025 growing season and share insights gardeners can carry into the year ahead.
From there, the program expands into broader ideas about landscape design, ecology, and the cultural role gardens play in shaping our environment.
Featured speakers explore gardening, landscape history, and ecology.
A highlight of the symposium is “My Earthwork: The Permanent Ephemeral,” presented by sculptor and landscape artist Thea Alvin. Alvin’s work explores the rhythm and movement of landscapes, transforming disrupted or chaotic spaces into harmonious environments that celebrate nature’s patterns.
A tranquil garden.
Later in the morning, professional gardener and designer Helen O’Donnell will present “Gardening in a Changing World.” Drawing on her work at Bunker Farm in Vermont, O’Donnell examines gardening as both an artistic and ecological practice—one that requires thoughtful choices about plants, sustainability, and stewardship.
After a lunch included with registration (11:45 am – 12:30 pm), the afternoon sessions shift from horticulture to history and flavor.
Fort Ticonderoga Vice President of Public History Stuart Lilie will guide visitors through “Abercrombie’s Rock to the Ethan Allen Gate,” exploring how 19th-century travelers experienced the site’s landscape, gardens, and hospitality during the Pavilion Hotel era.
Historian Blake McGready, a PhD candidate at CUNY and former National Park Service historian, will then present “The American Revolution: An Environmental Perspective,” revealing how forests, wetlands, and farmland shaped the conflict that unfolded across northern New York.
The day concludes with a sensory experience led by Roy Desrochers of the University of Vermont Extension, who will guide participants through “The Wonderful World of Flavor.” Attendees will learn how professional tasters evaluate fruits and vegetables and explore what makes produce truly exceptional.
Explore the King’s Garden at Fort Ticonderoga
Before the Adirondack growing season fully blooms, visitors can still appreciate the historic beauty of Fort Ticonderoga’s famous garden. This video offers a look at the King’s Garden during its peak season.
A glimpse of the King’s Garden at Fort Ticonderoga.
The King’s Garden at Fort Ticonderoga bursts into color during the summer months. While April visitors may see the garden waking from winter rather than fully in bloom, the symposium offers the perfect reason to return later in the season to experience its full splendor.
Located in the eastern Adirondacks along Lake Champlain, Fort Ticonderoga’s gardens remain one of the region’s most beautiful historic landscapes.
Why this symposium is unique in the Adirondacks.
Few places combine gardening expertise, landscape history, and Adirondack heritage quite like Fort Ticonderoga.
Participants spend the day learning not just how to improve their own gardens, but how landscapes—whether historic battlefields, farm gardens, or modern homesteads—reflect the ways people shape and are shaped by nature.
For Adirondack residents, it’s also a reminder that spring is just around the corner.
Event details.
Event: Fourteenth Annual Garden & Landscape Symposium
Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026
Time: 8 am – 4 pm
Location: Mars Education Center, Fort Ticonderoga, Ticonderoga, NY
Format: Hybrid (in-person and Zoom livestream)
Admission: See registration page for pricing
For registration details and updates, visit the official Fort Ticonderoga website.
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FAQ
What is the Fort Ticonderoga Garden & Landscape Symposium?
The Fourteenth Annual Garden & Landscape Symposium is a full-day educational event focused on gardening, landscape design, and environmental history, hosted at Fort Ticonderoga in the Adirondacks.
When is the symposium happening?
The event takes place Saturday, April 18, 2026, from 8 am – 4 pm.
Where is Fort Ticonderoga located?
Fort Ticonderoga is located in Ticonderoga, New York, on the eastern edge of the Adirondack Park along Lake Champlain.
Can people attend virtually?
Yes. The symposium is a hybrid event, allowing participants to attend in person at the Mars Education Center or join the sessions online via Zoom.
How do you register?
Registration details and pricing are available on the Fort Ticonderoga website.
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