Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route 2021 Highlights

Collaboration and Engagement

Trail Administrator, Johnny Carawan, and French Consulate, Arnaud Mentre, attend the dedication of Grave markers for two fallen French soldiers from the American Revolution. The dedication was the preamble to a series of weekend-long events recognizing Revolutionary Newport and the Franco-American alliance. Photo courtesy NPS.

• Broadened W3R-US’ ability to tell the Trail’s story of the Franco-American Alliance through through forming new relationships with organizations with compatible missions, such as The Franco-American Chamber of Commerce in Washington. D.C., the American Society of Le Souvenir Française. Likewise, relationships were formed and/or renewed with the French Consuls in districts along the trail.
• Provided $57,000 in funding to support accessibility efforts with the Dey Mansion in Wayne, NJ. Funding led to the development of exhibits for reaching new audiences and making them accessible to visually and mobility impaired visitors.

Strengthening Organizations and Partnerships

A First Rhode Island reenactor points to himself in the new Dan Troiani Painting “Brave Men as Ever” at the American Revolution Museum in Philadelphia. Photo courtesy W3RUS.

W3R-US participated in the Congress of the American Revolution Roundtable (ARRT) held at Mount Vernon Nov 20-21, 2021. Previously the Congress had included only Roundtable members, whose focus is scholarly and educational/promotional. W3R-US also formed a new relationship with the American Battlefield Trust, who assisted by promoting the trail story of two fallen French Officers in Newport to their members and social media followers.

The NPS incorporated the Founding Cities Initiative, which included outreach to 30 other sites and historical organizations along the Trail as well as to members of Congress, most of whom were unaware of the trail or how they might play a role in supporting its work. This program also addresses W3R-US’ Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion program. The relationship with Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman’s office resulted in her writing an op-ed for the Washington Post in July 2021, with research provided by W3R-US, addressing the need for inclusion of the role of African Americans in the March to Yorktown in the upcoming 250th. Subsequently, this resulted in the formation of a new relationship with the Liberty Memorial Foundation which will create a monument to the African Americans who participated in the Revolutionary War on the National Mall for the 250th Anniversary of the Founding of the nation.

W3R-US was also actively involved in assisting the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia with publicity for the story of the integrated First Rhode Island Regiment in the new painting featuring them by renowned historical artist Don Troiani, donated to their collection by WARO.

Local Economy, Tourism and Community Health