Saturday, May 9, 2026
10:00 AM
Jeremiah Dexter House
957 North Main Street
Providence, RI
Join Preserve Rhode Island and Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park for a guided walk in Providence, RI, on Saturday, May 9, 2026. Meet at the Jeremiah Dexter House on North Main Street at 10 a.m. (free street parking is located nearby).
This program will discuss the Franco-American alliance during the War for Independence. Participants will explore a witness house from the American Revolution and walk to see a monument to French soldiers. Please note that the walk up the hill to see the monument will include uneven terrain.
This walk is free and open to all. No registration is required. Presented in partnership with the Washington-Rochambeau National Historic Trail.
Saturday, June 6, 2026
10:00 AM
North Burial Ground
Providence, Rhode Island
Meet at the Rochambeau Gate
Why did French soldiers come to Providence during the Revolutionary War? How did they participate in the War for Independence? Learn about the journeys of French soldiers around Providence, the importance of the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route, and the origins of the French Soldiers' Monument at North Burial Ground. This tour will also include visits to the graves of local patriots.
This walk is a collaboration between North Burial Ground (City of Providence), Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park, and the Washington-Rochambeau National Historic Trail. There is free parking on North Main street near the R1 bus stop.
This walk is free and open to all. No registration is required.
Rochambeau Monument
Meadowview Park
Middlebury,CT
June,27 2026
The Rochambeau Monument Project is a major initiative of the Middlebury Historical Society, commemorating a pivotal moment in our town’s Revolutionary War history.
Timed to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and the start of the Revolutionary War, the monument honors the French troops who marched through Middlebury in 1781 under the leadership of General Jean-Baptiste de Rochambeau. Their presence was part of the critical French-American alliance that helped turn the tide of the war. More than 2,000 of these soldiers died in the fight for American independence.
The monument will be installed at Meadowview Park on June 27, 2026, the 245th anniversary of the army’s encampment in Middlebury.
Middlebury Historical Society
French in Newport 2026
Saturday, July 11th, 2026
11am to 4pm | Rain or Shine
Washington Square | Newport, RI
The Newport Historical Society’s annual French in Newport event–a day of living history featuring reenactments, performances, and free family fun–will return to Washington Square on Saturday, July 11th.
From 11:00am-4:00pm, visitors can explore the role of French soldiers and sailors who fought for America’s independence and enjoy hands-on learning opportunities tied to this important period in Newport’s history. Demonstrations of historic trades will run all day in Eisenhower Park, with a full schedule of programs running concurrently just across the square in the Colony House.This year’s event is particularly relevant, as the NHS celebrates the nation’s 250th anniversary.
Semiquincentennial programming is already underway, and French in Newport will be a centerpiece of the anniversary in 2026.
Newport Historical Society
Trinity Church
Newport, RI
July, 11, TBD
Annual Wreath laying ceremony to commemorate the 1780 arrival of General Rochambeau with 5,000 French troops and as many sailors to help General George Washington win America’s freedom from British rule.
Trinity Church | Newport, RI
Trinity Church
Newport, RI
September 14, 5:30 to 7:30
“Monday with Munday”
an in-depth look into colonial architecture and aesthetics, focusing on the work of Richard Munday, Colony House, second floor presentation, main floor refreshment. In collaboration with NHS.
Trinity Church | Newport, RI
