National W3R Association  
( www.w3r-us.org )

The National W3R Association is a nine-state partnership to support designation of the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route as a National Historic Trail and to educate the public on:

• the three-year presence of the French Expeditionary Force in the U.S.

• the march south of the allied armies to the climactic battle at Yorktown under the joint leadership of Generals Washington and Rochambeau

• their triumphant return north.

Specific Objectives of the National W3R Association

• Support the National Park Service and our State Historic Preservation Officers in their preparation of materials and presentations related to designating the W3R as a National Historic Trail. 
   
• Develop an integrated plan to encourage public interest in Revolutionary sites along the W3R, as well as tours of the trail itself. 
  
• Secure funding for promotional material and activities associated with W3R that are not covered by other organizations, or where joint efforts are more efficient. 
  
• Provide organizational planning and oversight for the 225th anniversary celebration the W3R march from Newport Yorktown, the return trip north, the many encampments along the route, and the associated winter camps. 
  
• Promote W3R as a key historic Revolutionary War event and a  focal point for "Heritage Tourism/Heritage Education" for  2006 and beyond. Focus attention on historical and environmental preservation along the trail and with links to the many other nearby historic attractions of the period along the path of the trail. 
  
• Seek the cooperative and participation of related  organizations in order to optimize the impact of the effort while minimizing the cost. 

Expected Programs and Projects

• Research and Documentation: Publicly and privately supported research covering a every aspect of the W3R and the publication of articles, manuscripts, and documentaries.. 
  
• Commemoration: The placement of grave markers for allied soldiers who died during the W3R campaign, route markers, and interpretive sign.
  
• Preservation: Preservation efforts to identify, restore, and preserve W3R sites.
  
• Education: The development and presentation of programs covering the W3R for K-12 classes, and the organization of field trips.
  
• Tours: The organization of bus, self-driving, and walking tours along the W3R with side trips to related historic attractions.  
  
• Brochures: The publication of interpretive brochures and guide maps. 
  
• Re-enactments: Organized re-enactments and commemorative events along the W3R. 
  
• Hosting: Organized support for foreign and domestic tourists looking for assistance in visiting the W3R.