Alliance Française de Charlottesville
Virginia State Society, Daughters of the American Revolution
Virginia Society of the Sons of the American Revolution
York County Historical Museum
| History of W3R in VA | Events and Reports for 2006 | 2007 | 2008 |
Events and Reports for W3R-VA2006 Mar 27 Report on the Status of the W3R in Virginiaby Kevin Vincent, Virginia Coordinator for the W3RVirginia has an array of geographically and institutionally separate commemorative initiatives now underway related to the W3R. Several established institutions such as Yorktown National Park, Colonial Williamsburg, Mount Vernon, and Gunston Hall have formulated 225th Anniversary plans outside of the W3R framework, although we have been coordinating with them to include their programs in the W3R schedule. In addition, the following W3R projects are now underway: (1) Ms. Andree King and Ambassador Nathaniel Howell of the Alliance Française de Charlottesville and the Albemarle/Charlottesville Historical Society, Mr. Jay Harrison of Orange County and others have formed a committee to plan W3R-related activities in Central Virginia. Among other events, they are planning a reenactment for the 225th anniversary of the ride of Virginia's "Paul Revere" -- Jack Jouett's ride in 1781 to warn Governor Thomas Jefferson and the Virginia legislature of the approach of British raiders. Updates on the events underway by this very active group can be found at avenue.org/afc/Yorktown.htm (2) Todd Post is organizing reenactors for several events including a reenactment on July 15-16 of the battle of Green Spring, the final engagement in Virginia near Williamsburg that preceded the Siege of Yorktown. . Proceeds from this event will help to preserve the Green Springs battlefield, which we hope to have as one of the key sites on the W3R. Don Troiani of Historical Art Prints has graciously donated one of his limited edition Revolutionary War prints to the Battle of Green Spring event to be raffled as a fund raiser for preservation of a portion of the original Green Spring battlefield. More information about the print and raffle are available at the Green Springs website. (3) Joe Chudzik has reported development of a site on Old Colchester Road in Fairfax County for a proposed wayside historic marker and interpretive signage to commemorate the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route through Fairfax County." (4) The Virginia Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) are following up on their success in placing a W3R "Route to Victory" display at Mount Vernon, by working with the National Park Service to have a "sister" display erected at Yorktown. The VA Daughters will again pay for it. Carol Howerton [capope4@aol.com] is the point of contact for this outstanding project. (5) The Virginia Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) is interested in sponsoring W3R events including a program to commemorate the visit by Washington and Rochambeau on 10-11 September 1781 to Mount Vernon. The vice president, and future president, of the Virginia SAR, Mr. Joe Dooley [joexyz@verizon.net] is the point of contact for the SAR. (6) On April 1 and 2, Gunston Hall is hosting "Crisis on the Potomac: Revolutionary Reenactment & Battle." This event is a reenactment of the British naval raids all along the Potomac River, and other major waterways that occurred in early 1781, that plundered Virginia plantations, tobacco warehouses, and slaves, and caused George Mason to evacuate his family and belongings to Maryland. This is the first event in Virginia to commemorate the 225th anniversary of military events that occurred in 1781, and opens the exciting year of reenactments throughout 2006 until the surrender at Yorktown in October. Everyone is encouraged to attend. 2006 September: America's March to YorktownAmerica's March to Yorktown (AMtY) Activities:
Oct. 14-15: Washington, D.C., Wreath-laying ceremony at Rochambeau statue at Lafayette Square. Oct. 16: Charlottesville lecture by Katherine Woltz on “The Surrender at Yorktown” with the Alliance Française de Charlottesville Oct. 17: Charlottesville lecture by Lionel Estavoyer regarding Besancon, France, and the Revolutionary War, with the Alliance Française de Charlottesville Oct. 18: Petersburg lecture by Delane Ward on Lafayette, sponsored by the Alliance Française de Charlottesville Oct 19-22: Yorktown Day Celebrations -- multiple ceremonies and reenactments at Yorktown and other Tidewater locations Oct 2006 to Aug. 2007: Mount Vernon exhibition on the close "father-son" relationship between George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette. The exhibition will be the principal celebratory event in America to mark the 250th anniversary of Lafayette's birth. Nov. 10-12, 2006 -- “Brothers in Arms” at Colonial Williamsburg. This is not specifically related to the W3R but focusing on African-Americans who served in the Patriot forces, including the 2nd Rhode Island Regiment. 2006 October: Exhibit on Lafayette and WashingtonTthe Mount Vernon Ladies' Association is organizing a traveling exhibition devoted to the close "father-son" relationship between George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette. The exhibition will be the principal celebratory event in America to mark the 250th anniversary of Lafayette's birth. The exhibition will open at Mount Vernon in October 2006 and be on view through early August 2007. It will then travel to Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania (late August through October 2007) and the New York Historical Society in Manhattan (early November 2007 through early February 2008). Following its American tour, the show will, in all likelihood, travel to a venue in France.2007: Commonwealth of Virginia Funds that State's W3R StudyJune 21 - The Virginia's Commonwealth Transportation Board gave final approval for the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route (W3R) Historic Wayside project on Old Colchester Road. The Board awarded $70,000 in Fiscal Year 2008 funds for the W3R project. With matching funds provided by Virrginia's Department of Historic Resources, ten counties and two cities in Virginia will identify and document the route taken by the U.S. and French troops marching to Yorktown.W3R-VA Events in 20082008 June: Commemorative Medallion to Support the W3RThe Virginia Association of the W3R has arranged with the York County Historical Museum to produce a 1.5" diameter medallion to commemorate the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route. Available in bronze or silver, it depicts Washington, Rochambeau, and the historic trail that they followed in 1781 and we are developing . Proceeds beyond cost from the sale will benefit the York County Historical Museum and the W3R.
front-side . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . back-side To purchase a medallion contact your state W3R organization.
2008 Oct 25: W3R Director HonoredNicole Yancey, a Director of the W3R-USA, was inducted into the French Legion of Honor in recognition for her decades-long service to France -- strengthening relations with the United States through her twenty-two years working with the French Consulate, coordinating the effort to provide at Yorktown, Virginia, a memorial listing the French soldiers and sailors killed in action as allies during the American Revolution, and making many contributions to the U.S. National Park Service, such as the American Revolution Bicentennial Committee.
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