Connecticut played an important role in the allied campaign of the American Revolution as American and French forces marched across the state in 1781 on their way to Yorktown. The route commemorated by the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail passes through a series of Connecticut communities that supported the movement of the allied armies.
In June 1781, French forces under the command of General Rochambeau marched west from Rhode Island through Connecticut, establishing encampments and coordinating logistics as they advanced. American forces under General George Washington relied on Connecticut for supplies, coordination, and support throughout the campaign.
Towns such as Windham, Lebanon, Bolton, and Ridgefield played key roles in hosting troops, storing provisions, and supporting the allied effort. Lebanon, in particular, served as a major supply center for the Continental Army and hosted French forces, including Lauzun's Legion, during the campaign.
Today, historic sites across Connecticut preserve locations associated with the route of march, encampments, and the communities that supported the allied army.
Together, these places allow visitors to follow the route of the allied armies and Connecticut’s critical role in the campaign that led to victory at Yorktown.
State and Local Historic Sites
These sites interpret the movement of American and French forces across Connecticut in 1781, including encampments, supply locations, and communities that supported the allied campaign.
Connecticut's Old State House
Jonathan Trumbull House
Joesph Webb House
Trumball War Office
Nathan Hale Homestead
Bolton French Army Encampment 5
Hartford French Army Encampment 6 and 45
Farmington French Army Encampment 7 and 44
Middlebury French Army Encampment 9 and 42
Danbury French Army Encampment 40
Lauzun's Legion Campsite - New Haven
Lauzun's Legion Campsite - Derby
Museums and Cultural Attractions
Museums and cultural institutions across Connecticut preserve artifacts, documents, and stories from the Revolutionary War era. These sites help interpret the movement of the allied armies, the role of Connecticut communities, and the broader history of the American Revolution.
Connecticut Museum of Culture and History
Lebanon Historical Society
Windham Textile and History Museum
