On August 16th, my family and I made it out to the 7th Annual March to Yorktown Day in Westfield, NJ. This was our third time attending the event in the past four years. Once again, it was a great event with a wonderful turnout, and the crowd has grown year after year.

This year was particularly special. A local park in Westfield traditionally known as Triangle Park was officially dedicated as Washington-Rochambeau Trail Park to commemorate the historic 1781 march of American and French forces to Yorktown, VA. The event was well planned and organized by Julie Diddel, chair of the Washington-Rochambeau Trail Alliance of New Jersey.

The commemoration marks August 29, 1781, when General Benjamin Lincoln’s division of the Continental Army passed through Westfield on its march to Yorktown, Virginia. At the same time, the French Army under the Comte de Rochambeau took a route slightly west of the Continentals before both forces continued south toward Yorktown.  Among the troops who passed through Westfield was the 1st Rhode Island Regiment, a notable integrated unit that included Black and Native American soldiers. 

The Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route traces the paths taken by the American and French armies during the Yorktown campaign, where their combined efforts, along with the French Navy, led to the British surrender at the Siege of Yorktown in October 1781. Today, the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail is preserved by the National Park Service. You can read more about this historic trail HERE.

Opening Ceremony

The program began at noon with an opening ceremony. The first remarks by Julie Diddel, chair of WRTA-NJ, highlighted the significance of the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Trail and Westfield’s role in the Revolution. She also gave thanks to the many sponsors that made the event possible.

She was followed by other outstanding and notable speakers, including Westfield Mayor Jeremy Berman; U.S. Representative for New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District Thomas Kean Jr.; New Jersey State Senator John Bramnick; historian and researcher Dr. Robert Selig; President of the American Society of Le Souvenir Français Thierry Chaunu; and Director of the Sand Hill Indian Historical Association Claire Garland, along with representatives from the Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution.

General George Washington, portrayed by reenactor Sam Davis, offered an opening prayer, and the New Jersey Fifes and Drums led the crowd in the Star-Spangled Banner, while the New Jersey Regiment, Heard’s Brigade took part in the ceremony.

Symbolic March

After the opening ceremony, the crowd followed the reenactors, including the New Jersey Fifes and Drums and the New Jersey Regiment, Heard’s Brigade, as well as George Washington, the Comte de Rochambeau, and the Marquis de Lafayette—along with several Westfield officials—on a symbolic march to the Westfield Presbyterian Church Burial Grounds, where more than 70 Revolutionary War veterans, along with family members and other patriots, have been laid to rest.

Muskets were fired and church bells were rung in their honor. From there, the procession turned back toward Washington-Rochambeau Trail Park, where the event continued. Make sure to stay tuned to my Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube pages for videos of the opening ceremony and the march.

Washington-Rochambeau Trail Park

When we headed back to the park, we talked to many of the vendors and organizations that had set up there, including the Princeton Battlefield Society, the Miller-Cory House Museum, the Charles Addams Heritage Trail, the Washington Association of New Jersey, and the Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution, among many others. There were also historical demonstrations, including the making of hardtack, as well as sewing and weaving.

We also sat down for a book talk by children’s author Robert J. Skead, who writes books about the American Revolution geared toward children ages 8 and up. My daughter was intrigued by the author’s stories, and we purchased two books.

There was a food truck on site from Uncle Eddie’s Touch of Sauce, so my family and I had hot dogs for lunch. We also bought coffees and chocolate milk from The Mindful Mug before heading home.

It was another great March to Yorktown Day in Westfield. What was particularly amazing this year was the dedication of the park. An event might last one day, but there are now permanent signs in the new Washington-Rochambeau Trail Park commemorating Westfield’s place along the trail.

That is quite an accomplishment and shows the years of hard work and dedication that Julie has put into the organization, which is now making a lasting impression. The markers highlight the importance of Westfield along the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route—the march that led to the culminating campaign at Yorktown in 1781 that helped secure American independence.  The trail also highlights the importance of the American and French alliance in the war.

Make sure to find out more information about the Washington-Rochambeau Trail Alliance.

Stay tuned for the reels that I will be posting from this event on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.