Local Re-Enactors Offering History Tours
Kevin and Luisa Sherman, local 18th century re-enactors or “living historians,” have launched a new Lake George-based company called Explore History Tours to offer guided tours of the area’s historical sites.
“We’ve modelled Explore History Tours on similar businesses in places like Philadelphia and Colonial Williamsburg,” said Luisa Sherman. “We spent a year doing our research, and we feel confident we can meet an unfilled need.”
The Shermans will guide visitors through Fort George, the Lake George battlefield, Fort William Henry and the sites, now obscured by modern development, of former forts, military docks and encampments.
“We can fill in the gaps in people’s knowledge, and provide a broad view of the historical situation, which is that in the 18th century, this was a frontier wilderness,” said Luisa Sherman.
Sherman said the idea of offering professional, guided historical tours of Lake George first occurred to her during the 250th anniversary commemorations of the Battle of Lake George in 2007.
“I volunteered to guide seige tours through the encampments, and found that people really wanted to learn more about the French and Indian Wars and the battles that took place here,” said Sherman.
In their first year, the Shermans will concentrate on giving tours of Lake George sites, although they can meet clients at Rogers Island, Crown Point or Fort Ticonderoga if asked.
Explore History Tours will market its services through local chambers of commerce and resorts.
For the time being, anyone interested in arranging a private tour or joining an organized tour is asked to visit the website, explorehistorytours.com. A system for making reservations by telephone is in the process of being installed, said Sherman.
The company will not have a presence on Canada Street or in the Lake George Village Visitors’ Center, said Sherman.
“Every company that we’re familiar with designates specific locations and times as meeting places, and that’s what we’ll do,” she said.
According to Explore History Tours’ website, Kevin and Luisa Sherman both have years of experience engaging in re-enactments for schools and museums and at national historic sites. Both have devoted thousands of hours to researching 18th century military history and social life.
“Kevin and Luisa pride themselves on making history come alive for their customers,” the website says.
