Our series "Stories from the Lake" continues. Lake Champlain has been called one of America's most historic lakes. We look at the key role it played in the birth of a new nation. 

The replica canal schooner Lois McClure, and its crew have spent part of this summer traveling up the St. Lawrence River.

In a few weeks, a reproduction of a 19th century boat that plied the waters of Lake Champlain will set sail for Quebec City. The Lake Champlain Maritime Museum's replica canal schooner, the Lois McClure, will visit Quebec to help mark the city's 400th anniversary. As VPR's Ross Sneyd reports, the festivities in Quebec also start the observation of a big anniversary in the Champlain Valley.

Celebrations will take place tomorrow in Quebec City as Quebeckers mark the 400th anniversary of the founding of their city, and Vermont will be well represented by the crew of the replica schooner Lois McClure. Art Cohn, director of the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum is aboard the ship. He speaks with VPR's Mitch Wertlieb.