In 1908, Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Pell decided to rehabilitate the “Pavilion” and spend their summers in it so that Mr. Pell could undertake the restoration of the Fort. There were legal, financial, architectural, political and engineering problems, and just plain problems. There was a horse living in one of the rooms of the “Pavilion.” There was of course no plumbing, central heating or electricity in the house. The land belonged to 17 members of the family and the problem of locating them and arranging satisfactory terms of purchase was a long and complicated one. There were squatters living all along the shores of Lake Champlain, and these squatters had acquired squatters’ rights. Nevertheless, the house was painted and rehabilitated, plumbing was installed and Mr. and Mrs. Pell moved in.
While Mr. Pell made a complete study of fortifications before one stone was touched at the Fort, Mrs. Pell worked incessantly on plans for the “Pavilion” and the Jardin du Roi. From various members of the Pell family she painstakingly gathered together pieces of furniture originally from the “Pavilion,” and added to it her collection of furniture from her family, Gibbs and Thompson. She purchased only the most minor items, old hooked rugs, curtains and draperies. She was always tremendously interested in the Fort and contributed generously not only valuable additions to its Museum collection, but a vast knowledge of the authenticity of relics and was a true partner in the restoration of Fort Ticonderoga.
Restoration Model of Fort Ticonderoga
Alfred C. Bossom of New York was selected to be the architect of the restoration of the Fort. The Tercentenary Celebration on Lake Champlain provided an occasion for getting the work under way.
At that time President Taft visited the Fort together with the Ambassadors of France and England, the Governor of the States of New York and Vermont and a most distinguished company. The preparations for this were started in 1908, and with such good results that by the time of the celebration the west barracks were ready for a preliminary inspection.
The natives in the surrounding country had to a very large extent appropriated for use in their own houses the stone walls that had fallen down but by careful excavation the precise plan of the original Fort has been entirely laid bare. To aid this, and to verify many points that were more or less uncertain, exceeding courtesy was extended by the British Museum. Photographs and reproductions of all the drawings there existing were forwarded and permission was given to search the records in both the English and French War Departments. At Ottawa the archivist of the Canadian Government also provided all the information available and photographs of the drawings on file. Of course in America all of the various authorities have cooperated to the utmost of their ability, and with this it has been possible to carry on the work of restoration without any uncertainty.
Thomas Cole Painting of Fort, Early 1820’s
One of the best maps of the Military Reservation was made by a man named Jeffreys, who was sent out to make surveys of the forts in this country by the Prince of Wales, who afterward became George III. His work was conducted under considerable handicap and was not as accurate as it might have been, but this map contains a lot of very useful information that is not given on any other.