Your Chance to Explore the “Final Frontier”
A little Star Trek history
Many of us grew up in the 1960's glued to our TV sets, watching such wonderful shows as Star Trek. As they say, they simply don't make them like that anymore. Although there have been many versions of Star Trek during the past 50 years, none of them hold a candle to the original series, from which they are based on.
Star Trek was a low budget show back in the 60's. The film crew often had to scrounge for common materials and adapt them to look 23rd century in appearance. The “creatures” and aliens on the show were only a slight improvement over the tacky versions appearing on Irwin Allen's memorable Lost In Space series.
What made Star Trek special was the characters and stories, which often superseded corny dialog and budgetary limitations. For some reason, we simply believed – and perhaps that is why much of what we could only imagine on Star Trek is a reality today. Our current mobile phones originated from the concept of Star Trek's communicator.
Star Trek envisioned possibilities, and future scientists and engineers have largely made them a reality, far in advance of the 23rd century.
I was an avid fan all through my childhood, high school years and for some time afterwards. In the 1990s, I started a business that revolved around selling at Star Trek conventions and events. As a collectibles dealer, I had my first convention at the Sheraton in Burlington, VT. I was looking for a hobby, business tax shelter, and this was perfect!
The first Star Trek personality I ever met was James “Scotty” Doohan in 1980, in St Johnsbury, VT, of all places. I didn't realize that over the coming years, I'd run into him several more times to where we casually knew each other, enough to share “Shatner jokes”.
Walter (Chekov) Koenig was a nice guy and a collector of Big Little Books. I used to watch for the rare books and sell them to him occasionally. Majel “Nurse Chapel” Barrett, wife of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry, was one of the nicest, most charming celebrities I have ever met. Second only to my dear, late friend from Lost In Space, Jonathan Harris.
Unfortunately, I never could meet Leonard Nimoy or DeForest Kelley (Dr McCoy), but I would have loved to.
After selling at conventions for several years, the “wow” factor wore off
I got to see a lot of “backstage” scenarios that the public didn't, and probably wouldn't care about. Whiny actor attitudes, complaints and conceited behavior, etc. I had a particular disinterest with two Star Trek Next Generation actors. I didn't meet or interact with them. Ironically, they're the same people you might read about in the “where are they now” articles.
At one convention at the Hynes Center in Boston, I took a few minutes away from my display tables to listen to William Shatner talk. To my surprise, he was shorter than I imagined and had a bit of a potbelly. I was leaning against the wall and accidentally turned off the lights on him. He panicked, which was oddly not very “Kirk-like” at all. I simply said “sorry” and went back to my table. I didn't bother to go for an autograph, but an artist friend of mine did. My friend said that Mr. Shatner seemed a little inebriated while signing autographs.
After a couple more shows, I grew tired of Star Trek and quit
At some point, it just stopped being fun. Paramount licensing was pushing out small dealers in favor of big names like Kay Bee Toys, etc. I sold out all of my collectibles and just kept a few items, which I still have today. I didn't even bother to watch any of the new incarnations of Star Trek until just a couple of years ago. I still wasn't excited. Maybe I had finally outgrown Star Trek?
The 2009 Star Trek movie changed everything
I have to admit that the new movie, based on the original Star Trek, was like a breath of fresh air. It was exciting and fun. The addition of Leonard Nimoy made it even better. I was hooked again and taking a reminiscent look at Star Trek of old.
Years ago, I stumbled across the fan films that were being produced for YouTube, etc., but never could “get into” them. To my surprise, I learned people produced some of the first fan films in Ticonderoga, NY, less than 2 hours from my home. Again, it was a mild curiosity, but a recent trip to Fort Ticonderoga didn't even bring up thoughts that Star Trek “shows” were being produced in the small upstate New York community.
Last weekend, my wife and I were trying to find something to do on a gorgeous Sunday morning. Because I was tired of our usual haunts like Stowe, Vermont, nearby New Hampshire, and other brief trips, I searched online for Lake Placid, New York. A Star Trek tour featuring a visit to the USS Enterprise sets diverted my search. I went to the website and it piqued my interest.
Who could pass up the chance to visit the Starship Enterprise Bridge?
After all, what kid brought up on Star Trek could ever pass up a visit to the iconic “bridge” where Kirk kissed alien women, McCoy went mad, and Sulu brought a sword to the party? Yeah, I had to check it out!
Star Trek Original Series Set Tour
Fort Ticonderoga is one of my favorite area “go to” places and the drive from Vermont is simply beautiful. What a perfect day for a drive.
Fortunately, CBS has allowed the licensing of “Star Trek – The Original Series Set Tour” in Ticonderoga, New York. Finding the Star Trek Original Series Set Tour was very easy. Simply drive into the roundabout in Ticonderoga and go to 112 Montcalm Street.
It's easy to find in the center of town, located in a building that used to host a “dollar store”. Check out the video below to see the location:
We arrived around noon on Sunday and there were a handful of people taking the tour. James Cawley, the man who created the Star Trek Tour, was at the door to greet visitors and sell tickets. He's a really nice, friendly guy who puts a lot of energy and passion into his project.
Admission is extremely reasonable and affordable for all ages. James mentioned that people come from around the world to experience the Star Trek tour. While we were there, a group from Asia were enjoying the tour.
Tour Schedule: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday; season ends Oct. 31.
Tickets: $24.30 ($21.60 for seniors and military/police, $11.88 for children 5-13; kids under 5 admitted free). Family rates are $63.72 for two adults and two children (5-13) or $84.24 for two adults and four children.
As a former intern with Star Trek the Next Generation, James had access to a lot of Star Trek resources that most people do not. His is the most accurate Star Trek set interpretation in existence, utilizing some of the original props and people from the classic Star Trek TV show. The set is almost exactly as the original Star Trek series set was, in 1966, at the “Desilu” (now Paramount Pictures) Stage 9 in Hollywood.
Take all the photos you wish
The tour guides were very accommodating and encourage you to take as many photos as you wish. Yes, you can even sit in the captain's chair on the bridge! The only gripe I would have is the Kirk cardboard standee. It would have made for better photos without it, but that's a minor issue. The Star Trek tour was a hit and I'll be back next Spring with a better video camera. The video I created for this article was shot with an iPhone.
- Please note that these days, filming is now prohibited inside the facility
Join Jack LaDuke of Mountain Lake PBS for his tour of the fabled Starship Enterprise:
Live long and prosper!
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