A New Historic Mural Comes to the Keeseville Civic Center

Dear Town of Ausable Residents,

We are excited to share that a new mural is being installed on the side of the Civic Center (Keeseville Community Center) at 1790 Main Street. This collaborative ceramic tile mural commemorates the historic Battle of Valcour, fought on nearby Lake Champlain during the American Revolution.

The mural is the centerpiece of a grant-funded educational and community initiative by the Ausable Valley Central School District (AVCSD), titled Mural and Speaker Series Commemorating the Battle of Valcour. The project is part of broader efforts marking America’s 250th anniversary in 2026 and highlights the Adirondack region’s important role in the nation’s founding.

Led by local artist Gerald Gardner, the mural involved AVCSD art students, faculty, and community volunteers in its design and installation. It creates a lasting public tribute to our region’s history and will be a point of pride for everyone who lives here or visits Keeseville.

In addition to the mural, the initiative includes free educational and outreach components such as student field trips to the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, living history programs with historians and reenactors, a public speaker series, and new historical books for local libraries. All programming is offered at no cost to the school district.

Funding came from a 2026 Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership (CVNHP) Local Heritage Grant. The CVNHP supports efforts to promote, conserve, and interpret the shared cultural and natural heritage of the Lake Champlain region.

Special thanks to Jennifer Winternitz, Sharon Bainbridge, Gerald Gardner, Rebecca Conklin, community volunteers, Fuller Excavating for donating the scissor lift, and the students at AVCS for their hard work, creativity, and dedication in bringing this project to life. Their contributions have made this meaningful addition to our community possible.

We encourage residents to stop by the Civic Center to view the mural as it is installed and to take part in the upcoming speaker series and related events. This project deepens our understanding of local history, encourages creative expression, and fosters pride in the Town of Ausable’s connection to the American story.

Thank you for your continued support of community arts and history initiatives.

-Tim

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