National Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route Association, Inc. (W3R-US)
OUTREACH
Program — W3R-US was awarded a $30,000 grant from the National Park Foundation’s Open Outdoors for Kids program to develop a teacher’s tool kit with curriculum materials for Title 1 schools, and formed a new partnership with the American Revolution Consortium for Civic Education to implement the program.
Enrichment — W3R-US secured a grant from the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area to conduct documentary research on the Hudson River Valley River to enrich interpretation at sites there and lay the framework for future recreational activities, and a future reenactment of the historic River crossing for the 250th Anniversary. This Research identified GPS coordinates for points of embarkations to integrate the crossing into the existing Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area trail system. Examined both military and local history to identify the roles played by African and Native Americans.
Inventory — W3R-US secured funds to complete a Cultural Resource Inventory with GPS coordinates for the legislated water trails. These are in areas rich with Native American, European, African American, and colonial military and settlement history.
Pilot Program — W3R-Delaware launched a pilot program for underserved schools and neighborhoods to include the stories of African and Native Americans.
PROTECTION
Signs — W3R-US secured pro bono graphic design services to develop a comprehensive menu of signs for the trail.
Narrative — W3R-US developed narrative descriptions for the total trail miles in each state along the trail so that requests could be made to state planning departments to include the trail in their Comprehensive Management Plans.
App — W3R-US secured a Strong Parks/Strong Communities Capacity Building grant from the National Park Foundation to document the historic route and update the driving route, necessary to develop a travel planning app, that will also provide the baseline data needed to identify and prioritize which landscapes, historic sites and other cultural resources are in need of a land protection strategy.
CAPACITY
Awards — W3R-US received a GuideStar Platinum rating for the second consecutive year
Status — W3R-Virginia incorporated and received tax determination from the IRS
Best Practices — W3R-US amended their bylaws and created a new policy and procedure manual to bring W3R into better alignment with best practices. This effort also included creating charters for a new Leadership Council, a committee structure and recruiting chairs for various committees.
Revamped — W3R-US revamped their membership program based on a more inclusive approach to telling the stories of all the peoples involved in the Yorktown Campaign, and not just the French and American military heroes. The brochure was also translated in French.