Public Events and Commemorations
for the W3R during 2009 



2009-02-21 to 2010-01-10: Mount Vernon VA:
Washington and His Generals -- The staff at Mount Vernon, in collaboration with the Society of the Cincinnatti, developed a large-room display (with one hundred artifacts) of George Washington and his senior American-born and European-born generals. The Web description illustrates the broad range of personnel issues that Washington had to contend with from 1775 to 1783.


2009-03-21: Newark DE:
Question: How many people does it take to move the 300-pound W3R®-DE kiosk?


Answer: Five members of the W3R®-DE moved it from the Riverfront Market in Wilmington, Delaware, to Ralph Nelson's garage on March 21.


Huzzah!             Huzzah!             Huzzah!
2009-03-31: Washington DC:
On Monday, March 30, 2009, U.S. President Barack Obama signed into law the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-11). Section 5204 of this law designates the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route as a National Historic Trail.
Huzzah!             Huzzah!             Huzzah!


2009-04-14: Bolton CT: Living Your Town's History
Ninety 7th-grade students from five history classes in Bolton CT went on bus tours of the W3R®-NHT in Bolton. First there was an ice cream social at the Fish Farm -- abandoned, but preserved -- on the west end of the route. Next came visits the French and Continental Army camp site and several colonial homes Finally the buses arrived at Bolton High School, where the W3R passes into Andover on (abandoned) Bailey Road. Two docents helped the students understand the events in their town in 1781 and the broader national and global context. Local living history is providing the first benefits of this new National Historic Trail, as its history becomes alive and part of Bolton's local school curriculum.
[from Hans dePold's W3R, Newsletter No. 64, May 25, 2009] full newsletter


Sixth Annual Meeting of the W3R®-US in Annapolis, Maryland

2009-05-02: Ssixteen Directors from the nine on-route states (and D.C.) met in the banquet hall of the Treaty of Paris Restaurant in Annapolis to review the past year and hear suggestions for future projects and procedures. Annapolis Mayor Ellen Moyer (at center below) opened the meeting by unveiling a new painting of French troops entering Annapolis in 1781. The artist, David R. Wagner of Connecticut, is at right below. Col. Tench Tighlman (portrayed by John Smith, at left below) provided a full-scale example of the well-dressed Continental Army officer. The a graphic based on the painting will be used in a W3R interpretive sign to be placed in Annapolis later this year (2009).



Outgoing W3R®-US Chair Kim Burdick (at left below) introduced speakers from the National Park Service: -- Steve Elkinton (at right below) and Robert Campbell (no photo). State reports were presented (and will be posted here later) and new Directors and national officers were elected
   


2009-05-08: Philadelphia PA:
Bicycle Touring Opportunities -- At the East Coast Greenway Summit bike enthusiasts from Pennsylvania met to discuss the status of developing the East Coast Greenway, a trail system spanning nearly 3,000 miles as it winds its way between Canada and Key West. Julie Bell, a Planner in the Rivers, Trails & Conservation Assistance Program of the National Park Service gave a presentation on
"Washington Rochambeau Revolutionary Route: Resources & Opportunities" [PDF file of the PowerPoint presentation]
2009-05-20: Philadelphia PA:
Lecture by historian Dr. Robert Selig, "American Revolution Sites along the Schulykill". and a reception in the Sweetbriar Mansion (part of Fairmount Park) for the 25th-Anniversary Celebration of the Fairmount Park Council for Historic Sites.
** W3R®-PA Celebrates Designating the W3R as a National Historic Trail **
2009-05-20: Boston MA:
Lafayette and the Role of France in the American Revolution -- In celebration of Massachusetts Lafayette Day (today) and in partnership with the Massachusetts Lafayette Society, the Consulate General of France, and the office of State Senator Richard T. Moore, the New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS) hosted a panel discussion at 6 PM at the NEHGS headquarters building at 99 Newbury Street, Boston MA.

Professor Robert Allison, Chairman Suffolk University's History Department, was moderator for a panel that included
  • Harvard Professor Robert Darnton, Director of the Harvard University Library and specialist of the Enlightenment period;
  • David Hackett Fisher, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of "Washington's Crossing" and "Champlain's Dream".
2009-06-04: Bolton CT: Trail Forum
A panel hosted by the Bolton Historical Society will discuss the W3R®-NHT at the Bolton Town Hall at 7 PM, and other intersecting trails on such topics as
  • How we go about creating and maintaining trails on abandoned portions of the W3R®-NHT?

  • How do state laws free homeowners and towns from litigation originating from accidents on trails that they permit to cross their property?

  • How might the state agencies, state and local governments, and private organizations cooperate and partner in planning and making a success of the W3R®-NHT?
[from Hans dePold's W3R Newsletter No. 64, May 25, 2009] full newsletter
2009-06-06: State of CT: National Trail Day
See pages 3 and 10 of CT Trails Day 2009 brochure for the W3R logo next to descriptions of three hikes along the W3R®-NHT near Bolton.
2009-06-11,12: Paris, FRANCE:
Celebration of the 225th anniversary of the Cincinnati-France at the Ecole Militaire, Centre de Conferences, 1 Place Joffre, Paris, FRANCE with a Colloque international: Les marines de la guerre d'Indépendance américaine (1763-1783); le renouveau de la puissance navale française
See Web site of the Cincinnati-France
2009-06-19,20: Wallingford CT: Honoring the encampment of Lauzun's Legion (a regiment of mixed cavalry and infantry) here in 1781 -- a Boy Scout Eagle Project
** W3R®-CT Celebrates Designating the W3R as a National Historic Trail **


FRIDAY: afternoon: lectures at the two local high schools; 7PM: public lecture at First Congregational Church by historian Dr. Robert Selig, Revolutionary War historian, writer of books concerning Rochambeau’s march to Yorktown, and advisor to the construction of the W3R monument in Wallingford.

SATURDAY: 9:00 AM: Procession of U.S., French, and Connecticut, and town dignitaries, accompanied by Revolutionary War re-enactors -- including two companies of the Governor’s Horse Guard -- following the actual route to its encampment taken by Lauzun'e Legion in 1781. After lunch two companies of the Governor’s Foot Guard will arive and participate with the Horse Guard at 1:45 PM in an official Pass in Review ceremony in front of the Wallingford Town Hall.
2009-07-04: Paris, FRANCE:
Célébration de l'indépendance américaine at Cimetière Picpus à Paris, FRANCE.
See the Web site of the Cincinnati-France


W3R®-NHT Noted at the Bastille Day in Washington DC

2009-07-14: French Ambassador Pierre Vimont invited a number of people who have helped develop the W3R to the annual commemoration of Bastille Day at the French Embassy in Washington DC. At least eight of us were in period U.S. or French dress for 1781. We posed for many photos and ansawered many questions about the W3R from the several hundred attendees, giving away all the brochures that we carried. In his remarks to the assembly Ambassador Vimont noted the recent Congressional designation of the W3R as a National Historic Trail and thanked those who had marched the entire route in 2006 (and Rose, who drove the van and wrote much of the blog).

David Holloway, Ambassador Vimont, Hanna Selig, and Robert Selig


Designation Celebrations in New York July 25

** W3R®-NY celebrates the designation of the W3R as an NHT **


At Newburgh NY -- site of Washington's headquarters after the allied victory at Yorktown -- U.S. Rep. Maurice Hinchey and U.S. Rep. Nita Lowey welcomed the Honorable Pierre Vimont, Ambassador of France to the United States, as he toured the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area.

This event was sponsored by the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, the Palisades Interstate Park Commission, and the Washington's Headquarters State Historic Site.


Ambassador Vimont greets re-enactor David Holloway, who in 2006 had marched the entire 680-mile route in French uniform, with companions marching in Continuental uniforms.

In his remarks Ambassador Vimont noted that France and the U.S. have for over two centuries helped each other in times of trouble and that France appreciates this most recent recognition of the historic ties between our nations.

A second ceremony took place at Dobbs Ferry -- starting point for the march of the Continental army under Washington to Yorktown. Ambassador Vimont noted that the W3R was a physical reminder of a remarkable and difficult journey of two armies with a single purpose -- independence for the United States.

U.S. Rep. Maurice Hinchey and U.S. Rep. Nita Lowey discuss with Ambassador Vimont the monument placed in Dobbs Ferry by the Sons of the American Revolution.


Left: Joe Gagliardi (portraying Dr. Alexander Dobbs,
a Continental Army surgeon) welcomed Ambassador Vimont.
Right: Dr. Richard Borkow discussed French maps
of the Dobbs Ferry area. [photos by Richard Harris]


W3R®-US Board and Regional Meeting in CT

2009-08-29: The Summer Board and Northern Regional Meetings of the W3R®-US was held in Lebanon, Connecticut. Directors, members, and friends of the W3R from several states paid close attention as Joe DiBello, recently named Superintendent of W3R®-NHT discussed options for developing this newest National Historic Trail.


Sept. 5 -- Pencader DE and Marcus Hook PA  

Three W3R events in close proximity kept W3R®-US members busy on September 5: (1) the Memorial Day commemoration at Pencader Heritage Museum in Pencader DE, (2) the first annual W3R Day in Marcus Hook PA, and (3) the annual Lafayette birthday celebration at the Hale Byrnes House in Stanton DE.

2009-09-05: Newark DE: Dedication of Sign, "General Lafayette's Visits to Delaware", at the Pencader Area Heritage Museum
** W3R®-DE Celebrates Designating the W3R as a National Historic Trail **



After giving the keynote address and laying a wreath at the Pencader event
French Ambassador Pierre Vimont, accompanied by Ned Cooch,
visited the museum of early American furnishings at Winthur.


W3R®-US Directors David Holloway (CT) and Ursula Reed (PA),
with Dr. Robert Selig (MI) participated in all the three events
Here they are shown at Pencader DE.

2009-09-05: Marcus Hook PA First Annual W3R Historic Trail Celebration and Ice Cream Social at the Marcus Hook Community Center, 7 West Delaware Ave (on the Riverfront). Time: 1 to 3 PM Dr. Robert A. Selig, who authored the W3R®- PA resource study guide, described the march of the allied armies through Marcus Hook two hundred twenty-eight years ago.
** Marcus Hook Preserv. Soc. Celebrates the W3R as a National Historic Trail **



At Marcus Hook Dr. Selig read several U.S. and French accounts
that described in vivid terms the joy expressed by Generals Washington
and Rochambeau (and their staffs) at Marcus Hook upon receiving
the news that the French fleet commanded by Adm. deGrasse
had reached the Chesapeake Bay, closing the trap around
the British army in Yorktown VA.


Ursula Reed looks on as a W3R banner is unfurled.
This will be used on the streets of Marcus Hook.

See this fine news article on the Marcus Hook event.


The Hale-Byrnes House and the Alliance Francaise of Delaware provided an opportunity to chat with friends over a good glass of wine, a musical program of French songs, a talk on the course of Franco-American relations over the past 225 years, and a dinner featuring international cuisine.
[Photo courtesy of Wade Catts, 2009-09-05]


2009-10-08: Paris, FRANCE:
Cèlébration de l'anniversaire de la victoire de Yorktown [The historic date for the surrender at Yorktown was Oct 19.] See the Web site of the Cincinnati-France
2009-10-18: Yorktown VA:
The W3R®-Southern Regional Workshop and Fall Board of Directors Meeting at the Warner Inn in Gloucester VA. The Workshop on Developing the W3R® was led by P. Daniel Smith, Superintendent of Colonial National Park. Details will be posted later.
** W3R®-VA Celebrates designating the W3R as a National Historic Trail **


On Oct 19 the W3R had a marching unit in the Yorktown Day parade. This was the second year we marched, not far from a unit from the Lycèe Rochambeau - French International School of Washington DC.
** W3R®-U.S. Celebrates designating the W3R as a National Historic Trail **


2009-11-07 (Saturday) Falls Church VA:
The W3R®-NHT through Northern Virginia -- Dr. Robert A. Selig, lead Historian for the National Park Service study of the Washington Rochambeau Revolutionary Route (W3R) -- recently designated as a National Historic Trail -- was the keynote speaker at the Fairfax County History Conference, held from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM at the James Lee Center, 2855 Annandale Road, Falls Church, Virginia. Dr Selig summarized his research on the route of the W3R® through Northern Virginia: Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax and Prince William Counties en route to the Siege and Victory at Yorktown.

Other activities that day were
  • Patrick O'Neil, speaking on the naval Battle of the White House in the War of 1812;
  • Mosby expert Don Hakenson speaking on the Civil War in Fairfax County
  • Marion Dobbins speaking on James Lee's Journey to Freedom
  • Archaeologist Jack Hiller speaking on the Origins of Springfield VA
  • A panel of veterans of foreign wars.
  • County archaeologists gave tours of the county labs.


2009-11-10: The W3R® through Philadelphia

On Tuesday, November 10, 2009, Dr. Robert A. Selig spoke at the Historical Society of Frankford (Philadelphia PA). A photo and video-report provided in this on-line article by Chris Wink on NEast Philly.com

The uniformed Color Guard of the Philadelphia Continental Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) opened with a flag processional.

Dr Robert Selig, lead Historian for the National Park Service study of the trail, discussed his extensive research and comprehensive W3R® publication featuring the route throughout the Philadelphia region - including the major portion through Frankford Avenue.

Ursula Reed, vice president of the W3R® of Pennsylvania, presented the Historical Society with a W3R® banner to be flown along the W3R® trail, which followed Frankford Ave. into Center City.

The evening was sponsored by W3R®-PA, Frankford Avenue's historic St Mark's Episcopal Church, Flag House, Jeptha Abbott, and Robert Morris-Quaker City DAR Chapters, the Phila-Continental Chapter SAR, and several private individuals.


2009-11-14: Stanton DE: "The War Man"

The W3R of Delaware and the American Revolution Roundtable of Northern Delaware hosted a presentation / book signing by Robert A. Mayers, the author of The War Man -- The True Story of a Citizen-Soldier Who Fought from Quebec to Yorktown a rare, intimate portrait of a real Revolutionary War soldier, the true story of a farmer who served in the patriot army for the entire eight years of the war. That farmer, John Allison was Mayer's ancestor.

Using letter, muster rolls, orderly books, service records and oral family history, Mayers reconstructed the campaign life of John Allison -- from the freezing Canadian wilderness through the battle of Fort Montgomery and the Campaign against the Iroquois nations to the bitter winter at Jockey Hollow (Morristown NJ) and the decisive American victory at Yorktown VA.

The event was held at the Historic Hale Byrnes House, which Corporal John Allison passed as he marched to the battle of Yorktown in 1781. He had camped at Marcus Hook PA, passed through Wilmington DE and Newport DE, then camped three days at "Christeen Bridge" (in Christiana DE) before arriving at Head of Elk MD.

the author, Robert Mayers


Mayers presented a lithograph of the Delaware Continentals
at the battle of Long Island to Hale-Byrnes director, Kim Burdick


after the talk the author signed books for the audience


2009-12-05: Stanton DE: Historic House Plaque

On the way to the battle of Yorktown in September of 1781 thousands of U.S. Continental and French Expeditionary Force troops marched by the Historic Hale Byrnes House in Stanton, Delaware.

On Sunday December 5, 2009 the W3R®of Delaware unveiled a special plaque reserved for buildings that were present along the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route when the allied armies marched by.


The Delaware Kiosk is Back in Operation

Thanks to two of our affiliates -- the Pencader Heritage Area Association (PHAA) and Talisman Interactive (TA) -- the W3R®-DE kiosk's computer was cleaned, repaired, and reprogrammed for off-Web use (by TA). Then Ralph Nelson re-assembled the kiosk and programmed it for operation as a disk-based Web site and arranged for the W3R®-DE to loan the kiosk for testing and use at the PHAA .

On Dec 12 a team of W3R®-DE and PHAA members moved it from Ralph's garage to the Pencader Heritage Museum. This is located on Rt 72 just south of Old Baltimore Pike (which follows the W3R®-NHT) in Delaware
Bing Map to Pencader Heritage Museum
The kiosk will be available for museum visitors during museum hours -- 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of each month.


PHAA volunteers Barbara White, Bob Barnes, and Frank Romanelli
with the W3R®-DE kiosk in its new home


Ten Videos Related to the W3R

2009-12-30: Rich Borkow, Village Historian of Dobbs Ferry (and a member of the W3R®-US) has posted ten short videos related to the W3R. On them he interviews historians David Hackett Fischer, Thomas Fleming, and Mary Sudman Donovan.
For details and links see our video link page.
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