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PLATTSBURGH — The Plattsburgh area kicked off its quadricentennial celebration of Samuel de Champlain's arrival on the lake with a ceremony to highlight the connection between past and future.

Dignitaries, history buffs and event organizers met at Clinton Community College Wednesday morning to unveil three interpretive signs designed to summarize the history of Bluff Point and Valcour and Crab islands.

The signs, erected on the college's back lawn — overlooking Lake Champlain and the two historic islands from Bluff Point — are a part of the Lake Champlain Basin Program's Wayside Exhibits Program to recognize cultural and historical landmarks across the region.

"One of the things that really struck me is the historical significance of this particular site," said John Jablonski, the new president of Clinton Community College, as he welcomed visitors to the unveiling.

"Of all the places rich in American history, there are some very unique things about this area," he added, while a steady rainfall pounded the canvas tent that sheltered the group before the unveiling.

Jablonski praised the work of the college committee that organized both the unveiling and the three-day "Legacy of the Lake and Its People" quadricentennial celebration.

"Because of your efforts, we bask in the warmth of this event, despite the weather."

Jablonski briefly summarized what he called five periods of history surrounding the Lake Champlain region, including the time before arrival of Europeans and the early days of trade between French Canada and the British colonies.

He also highlighted the significance of the building that rose behind the gathering as both a historic hotel and as an institution of higher education.

"How fitting it is that we are here at Clinton Community College celebrating our stewardship of this institution and all that has led us to this day."

Celine Paquette, vice chair of the Regional Quadricentennial Commission, praised the college for its efforts to give a thorough presentation in recognition of the quadricentennial.

"The story of this very important site needs to be told again and again and again," she said, imagining aloud how overwhelmed Champlain would have been by the beauty of Bluff Point as he passed by on his initial visit to the lake.

Jim Brangan of the Basin Program emphasized the need to promote lake-related education.

"The more people learn about the lake, the more they appreciate the lake and the better stewards they become."

Assemblywoman Janet Duprey (R-Peru) praised the location, saying the only people with a better view were those in Vermont looking toward New York.

Frederick Woodward, former interim president at Clinton Community, who played an integral role in the college's quadricentennial celebration, reminded the crowd of the gathering on the site 100 years ago, when President Howard Taft and others celebrated the lake's tecentenary.

"Over the next three days, you will see and hear a lot of the history of the region," he said, adding that the events provide an opportunity for people over the next 100 years to learn of the lake's history.

E-mail Jeff Meyers at: jmeyers@pressrepublican.com