Commemorate the Victorious 1781 March to Yorktown

Saturday, August 28
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Exciting re-enactments!

Family-friendly activities and demonstrations!

On the grounds of the William Trent House

From our friends at William Trent House:

Just as it was in 1781, the Trent House grounds will host American and French infantry and artillery soldiers. Re-enactors will demonstrate how soldiers in the Continental Army under General Washington and America’s French allies under General Rochambeau lived during the 680-mile march from New England to Yorktown, Virginia, and how they prepared for the divisive battle that ended the Revolutionary War.

It was at the end of August 1781 that the two armies first converged in Princeton. They then proceeded down the King’s Highway, now New Jersey Route 206, to encampment at Trenton, New Jersey before crossing the Delaware River. French cannons were parked on the estate known as Bloomsbury and owned by Assistant Quartermaster General of the Continental Army, Colonel John Cox. In the early 1700s this estate had been the home of William Trent, for whom Trenton is named. The final major battle of the Revolutionary War took place in October 1781 when the combined forces of the Continental Army and its French allies finally captured British General Cornwallis’ army at Yorktown in Virginia. This victory, after five years of warfare, ensured America’s independence.

Two re-enactor organizations – Le Regiment Bourbonnais and Le Regiment Saintonge – will represent French infantry and artillery. Also participating will be re-enactors of African American infantrymen of the 1st Rhode Island Regiment and John Lamb’s Artillery Company. Demonstrations of military drills and camp life will take place throughout the free outdoor event as well as other family-friendly activities and historical talks. The William Trent House Museum as a site on the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Heritage Trail will be recognized.

Event partners: William Trent House, Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie Mansion, Lawrence Historical Society, and National Washington Rochambeau Revolutionary Route Association (W3R-US) and its local New Jersey chapter.