Vermont Business Magazine ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain has unveiled a new permanent exhibit that dives into the science and history of Vermont’s most iconic legend in Champ: America’s Lake Monster.
ECHO’s exhibits team has been working on this project for over a year, and we're excited to finally share it. The exhibit allows guests to investigate hundreds of years of reported sightings, delve into the science and history of incredible creatures both real and unproven, and imagine their version of the Lake Champlain Monster. Through three levels of hands-on interactives, local history, a life-sized sculpture, and real-world science, America’s Lake Monster invites guests to dive deep into the legends and lore of Lake Champlain and find their answer to the age-old question: Do you believe in Champ?
“We are so proud of this exhibit. Our in-house exhibits team knocked it out of the park creating an exceptional exhibition showcasing science, history, and culture of Champ,” said Carolyn Crowley, ECHO’s Creative Director. “From an interactive historical timeline to designing your own Champ to examining Sandra Mansi's photographic evidence, guests will experience this beloved creature from every angle. The exhibits perfectly complement our 30-foot sculpture installed in 2024. We hope this experience shows visitors why Champ is our most famous animal ambassador and inspires them to support protecting Lake Champlain.”
Activities in the expanded exhibit include:
Champ Through the Ages: From Monster to Mascot Timeline
Investigate the history of Champ and test your skills with three interactive minigames in this hands-on archive filled with hundreds of years of lake monster history.
Champ Interactive Design Studio
Learn about the changing face of Champ, then design and color your own version of the Lake Champlain monster and release it into ECHO’s interactive digital aquarium.
Champ: Believer or Skeptic? Multimedia Displays
Examine the evidence and hear from local experts as they break down the real-world science surrounding the Lake Champlain Monster and the world-famous Mansi photo.
Sculpture & Photo Op
Enjoy 360-degree views of the largest and most realistic sculpture of Champ ever created as you explore all three levels of America’s Lake Monster. Don’t forget to stop by the photo op on the third floor to snap a selfie!
About ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain
ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain is Vermont's premier science and nature museum, located on Burlington's waterfront overlooking beautiful Lake Champlain. Our mission is to inspire and engage everyone in the joy of scientific discovery, wonder of nature, and care of Lake Champlain.
Visitors can explore over 100 interactive exhibits, encounter 50 live species, enjoy seasonal changing exhibitions, and experience immersive science and nature movies in our Dealer.com 3D Theater. Since opening our doors in 2003, we've welcomed more than 3 million visitors while operating 360 days per year.
Today, our exhibits, programs, and collection of native aquatic animals reach more than 160,000 people annually. This includes 16,000 members, 7,500 school group visitors, 30,000 reduced-or free-admission guests, and 10,000 students, teachers, and families through our statewide rural outreach program.
ECHO is a public place where all are welcome and belong, where science and nature come alive, and where stewardship for a better tomorrow takes root and grows throughout Vermont.
8.18.2025 Burlington, VT– ECHO visit: https://www.echovermont.org/
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