Books, Pamphlets, Maps, and Brochures
Several books discuss the involvement of France in the American Revolution
and several books are being prepared for publication after 2008.
For a list of W3R-related publications and links to the on-line versions of the recent
Historical and Architectural Surveys of the W3R (available for most states along the route)
see the W3R bibliography.
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 state W3R organizations have published one-page heritage tourism brochures
containing a brief history of the W3R in their state, a guide for an auto tour along the route,
and suggestions for related Revolutionary War sites to visit.
Contact that state's W3R group 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 W3R.
Commemorations
See links under "Developing the Trail" on the home page, and check for
announcements of upcoming events on your state's "Organization" page.
Exhibits
2009 Feb 21 to 2010 Jan 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.
2008 August: Valley Forge PA The Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route
This exhibit summarizes the history of the U.S-French allied effort opened at the Visitor's
Center at Valley Forge National Historical Park after several years on display at the
Independence Visitor Center in Philadelphia. No closing date has ben set.
Valley Forge National Historical Park site
| Press Release (overview)
NPS Superintendant Mike Caldwell between a map of the W3R and a Revolutionary War uniform.
W3R-related exhibits that are no longer on display are noted on the
W3R Achievements page in the year they ended.
In some cases the 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 W3R 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 W3R
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 W3R taken by the allied U.S-French Army in 1781,
give directions for walking that section of the W3R (typically five miles),
and include questions related to the history and hike. Scouts who complete the
requirements in the booklet may obtain a W3R trail patch for that section of the W3R..
-- People who are not Boy Scouts may use the booklets to learn about the W3R
and to follow the trail.
-- In 2006 May and June several Scouts and re-enactors
hiked the entire length of the W3R 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 W3R
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 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
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 W3R are available on our
Affiliates Page.
Research on the Documentary Basis for the W3R
W3R groups 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 W3R 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 Bibliography.
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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Video Productions
Tête á Tête [head to head] establishes the atmosphere and tensions
in Philadelphia in 1775 and looks over the shoulders of Benjamin Franklin
and John Jay during their secret meeting with Achat de Bonvouloir of France
as they laid the foundations for developing a France-U.S. alliance to facilitate
American independence. This critical meeting occurred in December 1775
-- six months before the Declaration of Independence was signed.
For additional information and a link for ordering this item see the
W3R Merchandise page.
France and the Independence of the United States
is designed for use in schools (and elsewhere) in the United States.
The production was professionally produced and is available in either English or French.
For additional information and a link for ordering this item see the
W3R Merchandise page.
Youth Activities
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.
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 W3R.
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 W3R historical events in that area.
See the Hiking section above
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