Shannon Stirnweis (Arizona, New York, New Hampshire Oregon, B. 1931) "Ft. Chambly" Signed lower left. Original Oil painting on Illustration Board.Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation.This painting was oiginally published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the Canada 32c Fort Chambly stamp issued June 30, 1983.Canada's early history is in many ways the story of a small population struggling to carve a nation from a vast, unsettled wilderness. In those days,mand of Canada's waterways often meant control of a territory. For this reason, nations vying for power over a territory would build forts along the rivers to protect their interests. Fort Chambly is one such fort. Built by the French along the left bank of the Richelieu River, Fort Chambly guarded French interests in the southern frontier. Construction on the fort began in 1665 by Jacques de Chambly, captain of apany in the Carignan Regiment, and the structure was first called Fort St. Louis. Originally the fort was a staked enclosure with a warehouse, barracks and a chapel. But, in 1709, after the Quebec military authorities ordered the fort's abandonment, the citizens of nearby Montreal protested and set out to rebuild the historic fort in stone. In 1711, the fort was finished and christened, Pontchartrain. But, despite the name change, people continued to call it Fort Chambly. In 1760, the fort was captured by the British, who manned the fort with a small garrison. Fifteen years later, in 1775, American forces easily overcame the British soldiers stationed at the fort. But the Americans abandoned the fortress only a year later. During the War of 1812, the fort served as an operational base on the Canadian side of Lake Champlain. In 1851, the fort was abandoned and ceded to Canada by the government of Great Britain.Image Size: 19.25 x 16.5 in.Overall Size: 23 x 20 in.Unframed.(B08160)