For Immediate Release
May 29, 2009
Contact: Paul Mounds 860-278-8888
Larson Hails Passage of the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route as a National Historic Trail
Encourages
Connecticut Residents to Walk the Revolutionary Route on "Connecticut Trails
Day"
Hartford, CT- When Congress passed the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009, it marked the most significant land conservation and natural resources bills passed in decades. Signed into law by President Obama, The Public Land Management Act will protect millions of acres of federal land, create 2 million new acres of wilderness, establish three new national parks units, and designate thousands of miles of historic and scenic trails for the National Trails System. In Connecticut, two new National Historic and Scenic Trails were designated, the New England Scenic Trail and the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route (W3R)
U.S. Congressman John B. Larson (CT-01), Chairman of the Democratic Caucus, has a long standing commitment in protecting our nation's natural landscapes and trails. In addition to co-sponsoring legislation to designate the Monadnock, Metacoment and Mattabesett (MMM) Trail System as the New England National Scenic Trail, Congressman Larson, along with Connecticut Senator Joseph Lieberman, introduced legislation directing the National Park Service to submit to Congress a study of the historical significance of W3R. This marked the first step in the process of having the route designated as a National Historic Trail.
After meeting with Town of Bolton Historian Hans DePold in April 2000, Larson became involved in the historical preservation of the trail including holding public forums and meetings with constituents on the trail's local and national importance. Congressman Larson unveiled the legislation on July 3rd, 2000 at the Webb Deane Stevens Museum in Wethersfield, the location of the meeting between General George Washington and Count de Rochambeau as they planned their joint military campaign to Yorktown, Virginia.
"First and foremost, I would like to thank Bolton Town Historian Hans DePold, the Connecticut Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, Connecticut Historical Commission, and the countless volunteers and organizations across the state and the northeast who vigilantly worked to secure this designation," said Larson.
"Our state is home to important moments in American history. As a former history teacher, it is gratifying to help preserve the rich history of Connecticut and our nation with the designation of the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route as a National Historic Trail."
Landing in Newport, RI on July 1781, Jean Baptiste de Rochambeau led his French troops from Rhode Island through Connecticut to meet General George Washington and his troops in New York en route to attacking the British in Yorktown. In all, W3R is a 600 mile trail stretching nine states, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Massachusetts, and the District of Columbia. The victory over the British at Yorktown played a crucial role in securing America's victory in the Revolutionary War.
With W3R achieving National Historic Trail status, educational signs will map the route throughout the state and in addition, the U.S. Department of the Interior and the National Parks Service will provide administrative authority of the trail.
"With the designation, people of all ages will gain a better understanding of our nation's journey to independence through the steps of General Washington, Count Rochambeau, and their armies."
On June 6th-7th, the Connecticut Forest & Park Association will host "Connecticut Trails Day". Throughout the state, Connecticut residents can enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, and a history walk in our state's parks and trails. Included in the activities are hiking the W3R in Lebanon and a history hike on the importance of the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route with Bolton Town Historian Hans DePold, and hiking on the Connecticut portion of the New England Scenic Trail.
For more information and to receive a brochure highlighting the events and activities across the state on "Connecticut Trails Day", go to Congressman Larson's Website at www.larson.house.gov or the Connecticut Forest & Park Association website at www.ctwoodlands.org.
Please click here for the "Connecticut Trails Day 2009" brochure highlighting the weekend's events.
