Web:   www.w3r-nj.com

   Email: deBarcza@co.somerset.nj.us

   Mail:   W3R-NJ, PMB #1781,
              442 US Highway 202-206 N,
              Bedminster NJ 07921

   Chairman: Sallie de Barcza      Directors and Executive Committee
  

Richard Simon has developed a one-hour slide presentation showing the route followed by the French troops during their march through New Jersey. It includes detailed route maps and photographs of existing structures that were standing along the route of the march in 1781. 

Saturday, October 15, 2005:

Princeton University hosted a symposium on the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary route in New Jersey, which was jointly sponsored by the W3R-NJ Association and Crossroads of the American Revolution. The title of the symposium was "George Washington and the Helpful Jerseyans."

Thursday, December 8, 2005:

A lecture by Dr. Robert Selig, "Winning the War: Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Routes," was co-sponsored by a number of Bergen County history groups including: the Friends of the Hermitage, the Bergen Division of Cultural & Historic Affairs, Friends of the Long Pond Ironworks, Mahwah Museum Society, North Jersey Highlands Historical Society (Ringwood Manor), and the Revolutionary War Roundtable of Bergen County.

Sunday, June 11, 2006:

To mark the 225th anniversary of the march of the French and allied expeditionary forces through New Jersey, the Metlar-Bodine House Museum organized a panel discussion, "The Final Bold Steps to a Successful Revolution." The event was held at Kirkpatrick Chapel, on the Old Queens Campus of Rutgers University in New Brunswick.

Friday, August 25, 2006:

On Friday, August 25th at 9:30 a.m.,the official celebration will take place of the crossing of the NY/NJ state line by Captain Mike Fitzgerald and the March to Yorktown re-enactors. The event is being coordinated by the historical organizations of Mahwah and Suffern, NY. All are welcome.

American forces (including General Washington) traveled from Haverstraw, NY to Mahwah, NJ on August 25, 1781. French troops under General Rochambeau left Suffern, NY on August 25, 1781 and crossed into Mahwah, NJ on Ramapo Valley Road (Route 202) on August 26th.

As part of the Border Crossing Celebration, the re-enactors will pass the "light of freedom" (an actual copper lantern) from NY to NJ. Representatives from W3R-NJ, Bergen County, Mahwah and Suffern, the VFW, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and historical organizations are expected to attend the event. Everyone is welcome.

For more information on this and other Mahwah events, call Carol Greene, W3R-NJ Vice-Chair at (201) 825-1226.

Saturday, August 26, 2006:

The Havemeyer Mansion, located on Ramapo Valley Road (Route 202), Mahwah will have an open house from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturday, August 26. This is the kickoff event for the W3R-Mahwah celebration and the opening of "Marching to Victory: Mahwah in the American Revolution," a new exhibit at the Mahwah Museum. The event, which is being sponsored by the Mahwah Museum Society, will be a beautiful tented affair with refreshments. Costumed docents will give tours of the historic mansion, where Revolutionary War artifacts will be on display. The mansion is on the site where Patriot Andrew Hopper's house once stood along the original route of the W3R march. It is now the home of the Ramapo College President, who has graciously agreed to this event. All are welcome.

Saturday, September 9,  2006:

Saturday or Sunday, September 9 or 10, 2006:

City of Trenton, Division of Culture, has under consideration a  variety of W3R events for the second weekend in September, 2006. Depending upon availability of re-enactors, particularly the 2nd NJ and to the French regiment, they will hold a one day event on one of the two days. Activities under consideration include a talk by Dr. Selig, an archaeology talk/walk conducted by Ian Burrow or Richard Hunter, a DAR plaque dedication (Trent House wall), a flag ceremony/display, and a social evening event featuring French food. 

Saturday & Sunday, September 16 & 17, 2006:

W3R-NJ will sponsor a re-enactment of the "Bullion Tavern" campsite. The event will be held at the English Farm in the picturesque village of Liberty Corner September 16-17. The historic farm was the actual location of the French campsite on August 29, 1781.
 
Visitors will have a unique opportunity to relive the atmosphere of an eighteenth century military encampment. There will be a variety of routine camp activities, as well as weaponry, cooking, and craft demonstrations. You can imagine yourself in the midst of Revolutionary drama of the march to Yorktown, while observing military planning, training, and battle simulations.
 
The English farm, which has been in continuous use by the same family for eight generations, is a 74-acre working farm. One wing of the house dates to the early 1740’s. Today, the English farm has cows, sheep, herb gardens, and a produce stand – and even an aged orchard. The farm has a collection of antique farm implements including a working cider press.

Thursday, July 19,  2007:

The Pequannock Twp. Public Library will host "Meet the Washington/Rochambeau March Re-Enactors!" at the Pequannock Township Public Library on Thursday, July 19, at 7:30 pm. All are welcome! The library is located at: 477 Newark Pompton Turnpike,
Pompton Plains, N.J. 07444, phone (973) 835 7460.

Rosemarie Morin and David Holloway were part of a small militia of
colonial troops who traveled all the way from Rhode Island to Yorktown, Virginia, in the first complete re-enactment of the American and French armies' March to Yorktown in 1781. Two of their group walked the entire route last year, to commemorate the 225th anniversary.

Rose and David will appear in period dress - Rose as camp follower and Dave as a French soldier. Journey back in time to hear about their adventures, from their incredible trek, to the glorious re-enactment of the Battle of Yorktown.

Rose and David will also talk about the status of federal legislation to make the Washington/Rochambeau Route a National Historic Trail. Help us to welcome the dedicated footsore soldiers home to New Jersey once again!

W3R-NJ Annual Dinner Meeting -Open to the Public

Mannion's Pub & Restaurant
130 West Main Street, Somerville
908-203-0700
Monday, June 23, 2008, 6:30 PM
$25 per person, Cash Bar

Presentation: Dr. Robert Selig's PowerPoint Program of the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route through New Jersey

• The Continental Army and NJ militia conducted a decoy operation to lead the enemy to think that an attack on New York from the New Jersey side was being prepared, then the Continentals marched south to re-join the French.
• The French Expeditionary Force used seven camps in NJ overnight on the great march going both south and north.

• New Jersey State Society Daughters of the American Revolution
• New Jersey Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (no Web site at the moment)

Trustees 2009

Thomas Buckingham
Jean Hultgren
Vanessa La Franco
Caroline Lareuse
Jeff Mascechak
John Moller
Carl Nittinger, Founder
James Raleigh, Chairman Emeritus
June Sadlowski