For Immediate Release: May 17, 2009   Contacts:       Art Cohn, Lake Champlain Maritime Museum   (802) 475-2022                     Brian Searles, Burlington International Airport    (802) 863-2874     Senator Patrick Leahy to Unveil Discover 1609 Exhibit at the Burlington International Airport                                                                                  Senator Patrick Leahy will hold a Press Conference at the Burlington International Airport on Monday, May 18 at 11:15am to unveil the new Discover 1609 exhibit. The exhibit commemorates the rich history of Lake Champlain as part of this year’s celebration of the Lake Champlain Quadricentennial.   Discover 1609 transforms the Airport into the region’s gateway for celebrating the 400th anniversary of Samuel de Champlain’s travels on Lake Champlain.  The exhibit uses the Airport’s gates, ticket counters and waiting areas to create a display of dramatic images from Lake Champlain’s storied past. Exhibit features include “Shipwreck Alley” which uses a hallway area to highlight some of Lake Champlain’s most harrowing shipwrecks; a 32-foot Champlain Longboats Pilot Gig in baggage claim; and a replica 1609 Birch Bark canoe and exhibit in the mezzanine.   Art Cohn, Executive Director of the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum will give a tour of the exhibit following the formal remarks.   Discover 1609 is sponsored by the Burlington International Airport and designed by the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum and Shadows & Light Design, Inc.