Rochambeau Monument Dedication at Meadowview Park

The Middlebury Historical Society will commemorate a significant chapter in Revolutionary War history with the unveiling and dedication of the Rochambeau Monument on June 27, 2026, from 1 pm to 3 pm at Meadowview Park. The event coincides with the 250th anniversary of the French army’s encampment on Breakneck Hill in Middlebury and serves as a tribute to the French soldiers whose contributions helped secure American independence.

The new monument honors the 5,200 troops led by General Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, Comte de Rochambeau, who marched through Connecticut and camped in Middlebury while traveling to and from Yorktown during the Revolutionary War. Their alliance with American forces proved instrumental in the defeat of British forces and the successful conclusion of the war.

Created by Prospect sculptor Tony Falcone using the traditional lost-wax bronze casting method, the seven-foot-tall monument depicts an unnamed French soldier rather than General Rochambeau himself. The design recognizes the thousands of ordinary soldiers whose service and sacrifice contributed to the American cause. The monument will stand as a lasting landmark along the National Washington–Rochambeau Revolutionary Route.

The dedication ceremony will feature state and national dignitaries, representatives from French organizations, and members of the National Park Service, highlighting the enduring friendship between France and the United States. Taking place just days before the nation’s semiquincentennial celebration on July 4, the event offers an opportunity to reflect on the international cooperation that helped shape American history.

The ceremony is free and open to the public. Meadowview Park is located at 190 Southford Road, Middlebury, CT 06762. For more information, visit www.middleburyhistoricalsociety.org.