Books, Pamphlets, Maps, and Brochures
Several books discussing the contributions of France to the U.S. War for Independence
have been published in response to the interest generated by the development of the WRRR-NHT:
- Lafayette: Rêver la gloire [en française]
- Lafayette in America in 1824 and 1825
- DUPORTAIL ou le Génie de George WASHINGTON [en française]
- Spain and the Independence of the United States
- George Washington's Westchester Gamble
- The Guns of Independence: The Siege of Yorktown, 1781
- Unlikely Allies
- En Avant with Our French Allies
- Hussars in Lebanon
- March to Victory: Washington, Rochambeau, and the Yorktown Campaign of 1781
- Our French Allies: Rochambeau and His Army ...
- Rochambeau: Washington's Ideal Lieutenant
A list of WRRR-related publications and links to the on-line versions of the
Historical and Architectural Surveys of the WRRR (for most states along
the route) are posted on the
W3R®-US reference list.
Maps Richard Sheryka (W3R®-RI) is working
on a one-volume reprint of the many excellent maps from
The American Campaigns of Rochambeau's Army, by Brown and Rice.
Heritage Tourism Books and Brochures:
Several W3R®-US state chapters have published
one-page heritage tourism brochures containing a brief history
of the WRRR in their state, a guide for an auto tour along the route,
and suggestions for related Revolutionary War sites to visit.
Contact that W3R®-US state chapter for further information.
The W3R®-US is encouraging the reprinting
(perhaps on CD) of other significant works
and the writing and publication of new works on the WRRR.
Commemorations
See links for "Previous Events" and "Upcoming Events" on the home page.
Exhibits
WRRR Exhibit Available for Loan
This exhibit summarizes the history of the U.S-French allied effort.
After several years on display at the Independence Visitor Center in Philadelphia
it was on display at the Visitor's Center at Valley Forge National Historical Park
from 2008 August to 2010.
To discuss loan terms contact the Executive Director of the W3R®-US.
 Valley Forge National Historical Park site
| Press Release (overview)
NPS Superintendant Mike Caldwell between a map of the WRRR
and a Revolutionary War uniform.
W3R®-related exhibits that are no longer
on display are noted on the
W3R®-US Achievements page
in the year they ended.
In some cases a Web summary of the exhibit is still posted.
Grave Marking / Commemoration
Le Souvenier Français (SF) -- an organization dedicated to finding and marking
the graves of French military personnel who died outside of France --
has compiled a list of some 990 soldiers and 1,000 sailors who died
in the U.S. theater of operations during the years of the France-U.S. alliance (1778-1783),
See The 2,112 Frenchmen
who died in the United States from 1777 to 1783.
If you are are planning a WRRR event please check this list to see if any soldiers died nearby.
You might then locate their graves and place an appropriate marker or a wreath there.
The Sons of the American Revolution and the Daughters of the American Revolution
have marked some of these the burial sites with plaques or stones.
Photo-reports on
2006 Sept wreath-laying
in Wilmington DE for Dr. Joseph Capelle: Patriot, Immigrant, and Doctor
2007 June wreath-laying in France for
General Rochambeau
Hiking, Bicycling, and Walking along the WRRR
Boy Scout Historical Trails
Boy Scout Order of the Arrow Lodges in several states
(DE - DelMarVa Council, RI - Narraganset Council)
have developed historical trail guides that discuss the historic events
along a section of Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route
taken by the allied U.S-French Army in 1781,
give directions for walking that section of the trail (typically five miles),
and include questions related to the history and hike. Scouts who complete the
requirements in the booklet may obtain a W3R®-US patch
for that section of the trail.
-- People who are not Boy Scouts may use the booklets to learn
about the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route and to follow the trail.
-- In 2006 May and June several Scouts and re-enactors
hiked the entire length of the trail in Rhode Island.
See photo-report on RI Scouts.
We are developing other non-automotive guides for following the trail
and hope to release these through or in cooperation with major national
organizations listed on our Other Trails page.
Music Activities
The Tippecanoe Ancient Fife
and Drum Corps, based in Indiana, presents authentic 18th century
French military music in authentic dress for that era.
They give performances around the nation and also outside the U.S.
Billy Lee's Washington is a musical about the life
of George Washington as seen through the eyes of his slave, Billy Lee.
It was performed in Delaware during 2006 September and October.
See the Achievements page
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Paintings Depicting Army Life along the WRRR
David Wagner is a historian, archaeologist and artist from Scotland CT.
He created a series of about 60 paintings to illustrate the experiences
of the French Expeditionary Force commanded by French General Rochambeau
and his 5,500 troops during its stay in the United States (1780-1783)
and its march from Newport RI to Yorktown VA and back to Boston MA.
His paintings have been on display in the Rhode Island State House (2003, 2005),
in the Connecticut Capitol Building (2003), and in Delaware (2004).
For additional information and a link for ordering these items see the
W3R®-US Merchandise page.
Re-enactments of the March
2004 June to Oct: Walking in the Footsteps of History"
Lee Anderson is a living historian and docent at the Revolutionary War site
of Fort Mifflin (PA). He followed the route of the allied armies
from Newport RI to Yorktown VA (in four stages) via Providence RI,
Hartford CT, Danbury CT, Ardsley NY, Trenton NJ, Philadelphia PA,
Baltimore MD, Annapolis MD, Washington DC, and Williamsburg VA.
See the Photo-report of the Walk
2004 Dec 5: Dedham MA: Massachusetts SAR Color Guard commander Geoffrey Colby
placed flags and a tricolor wreath at the monument that commemorates
the 54th French campsite, built here in 1782.
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2005 Jul 8-10: Newport RI: Celebration of the 225th anniversary
of the 1780 arrival of French General Rochambeau and the French Expeditionary
Force. M. Gerard Priet of the France Society SAR spoke about Admiral Ternay,
who was in command of the French fleet that brought the French Expeditionary
Force to Newport and who died there six months later
Text of his speech /
Photo-report of the weekend
[posted by Durf McJoynt]
2006 June through October: AMERICA'S MARCH TO YORKTOWN:
Three re-enactors in period uniforms walked the entire 650-mile route
following the original allied march schedule. They were joined by many
one-day marchers along the way and welcomed and hosted by groups
in many of the towns and cities through which they passed.
See the Photo-reports of the March.
2008 October: BATTLE OF THE HOOK:
See the American, British, Hessian, and French soldiers at rest and in action
as several thousand re-enactors re-created this important land battle that kept the British army
at Yorktown from opening an escape route to the coast.
Photos of the re-enactment
Contact information for groups that portray U.S., British,
German, and French military units or people who portray the major
figures of the WRRR are available on our
Affiliates Page.
Research on the Documentary Basis for the WRRR
W3R®-US chapters in several states have encouraged
private organizations and public agencies to provide funds and personnel
to search through the archives for documents that shed light on the activities
and people associated with the WRRR and to publish a comprehensive
list of these documents with brief summaries to put the material in context.
These reports provide an excellent basis for educational modules and heritage
tourism brochures.
See the W3R®-US
reference list.
2006 Feb 11: A symposium on Black Patriots in the Revolution
was sponsored by the W3R®-DE.
See the photo-report.
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Youth Activities
Youth History Camp:
--- 2005 July: The Delaware Society SAR provided a presentation
on the role of France in the American Revolution to high school students
attending the Delaware Heritage Commission's History Camp.
Boy Scout Activities:
--- 2005 July 8-10: The Rhode Island Society SAR provided a pavillion with merit badge
counsellors for an American Heritage merit badge at Fort Adams during the weekend
of the 225th anniversary of the landing of the French Expeditionary Force in Newport RI.
--- 2005 Oct: The Nentego Lodge, Order of the Arrow, (DelMarVa Council BSA)
issued an Historical Trail Guide based on the Delaware section of the
Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail.
Boy Scouts may earn an historical trail patch by reading this guide,
hiking the designated trail, visiting a museum along the way,
and answering questions related to the historical events for the trail.
See the Hiking section above
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