The Magnificent Sculptures of Lake George Battlefield Park Tours

Lake George Battlefield Park Alliance to Host Guided Tours of Its Refurbished Sculptures on October 12, 2025.

Responding to repeated requests from visitors throughout the summer and early fall, the Lake
George Battlefield Park Alliance is hosting two free guided tours of its recently refurbished
bronze statues on Sunday, October 12. “The Magnificent Sculptures of Lake George
Battlefield Park Tours” start that day from the Battlefield Park Visitor Center, 75 Fort
George Road, Lake George at 1:00 PM and again at 3:00 PM.
“Without exception, those who’ve visited the park since the restorations were completed in June
have been wowed by their beauty and how they reflect—breathtakingly--parts of the site’s most
important history,” notes John DiNuzzo, President of the Alliance. “We’ve had so many
requests about the details of the statues that we felt obligated to call on experts to tell their
stories.”
The tours begin from the Visitor Center and proceed to each iconic sculpture in order of its age,
furnishing the details of its development, dedication and refurbishment: Battle of Lake
George (dedicated in 1903), Mohawk Warrior (1921), and Isaac Jogues (1939).
The host(s) at each stop are intimately familiar with the Battlefield Park’s history:
• Richard R. Vietor (Battle of Lake George), Chair, Patriotic Activities Committee, The
Society of Colonial Wars in the State of New York (which commissioned the original
work in 1903 and funded the majority of its restoration this year);
• Jay Levenson (Mohawk Warrior), a Lake George Battlefield Park Alliance Trustee
and Native American re-enactor of Indigenous heritage;

 Mark Silo, historian, and Peter Wuerdeman, Secretary of the Alliance’s Board of
Trustees (Isaac Jogues).
Each of the hosts offers his views on the sculpture’s significance. For Richard R. Vietor, the
Battle of Lake George work recognizes an alliance that was a key for the British success
against the French. "The statue was erected by the Society of Colonial Wars in the State of New
York to mark the significance of the Battle of Lake George, where colonial militia and their
Mohawk allies achieved victory over the French. The statue depicts a pre-battle conversation
about strategy between New York Militia General William Johnson and Mohawk Chief
Hendrick, and honors their mutual respect and collaboration.”
Jay Levenson recalls: “In 1917, philanthropist and then-New York State Conservation
Commissioner George Pratt arranged the Indian fountain (Mohawk Warrior) to be sculpted
by Alexander Phimister Proctor, in acknowledgement and honor of the 10,000+-year presence of
Native Peoples like the Haudenosaunee, Abenaki, and Huron at Lake George and surrounding
areas. The story of how a conservationist, a Native American model, and a prolific artist led to
the creation of a sculpture that became an iconic part of Battlefield Park is an engaging tale that
will be shared on our tours.”
For Isaac Jogues, Mark Silo promises to “detail the exploits of the larger-than-life man
depicted in the statue, including his interaction with Lake George and his missions
among Native Americans in Canada and New York.” Peter Wuerdeman will describe the origins
of the work itself, its placement in this location, and “the recent rehabilitation of the inspiring
sculpture which overlooks the head of our majestic lake.“
The Alliance is sponsoring these tours as part of the I LOVE NEW YORK “Path through History
Weekend”. A full program for “The Magnificent Sculptures” will be issued to attendees that day
upon their arrival at the Visitor Center.
The Battlefield Park Visitor Center will remain open on October 12 until 5 PM and continue its
weekends and holidays-open schedule through the end of October.