Rochambeau Memorial Project

The Middlebury Historical Society embarked on a project in 2019, inspired by the efforts of the late Bill Crutcher, of Middlebury, to memorialize the encampment of General Rochambeau and the French army under his command, encamping at Breakneck Hill on June 27, 1781.

The new location for the memorial will be in Meadowview Park.

Plans for the site

Meadowview Park Site of New Memorial
A fanciful image of a statue in Meadowview Park (NOT the final design)

This monument will memorialize the encampment of General Rochambeau and the French Army on Breakneck Hill in 1781 and, on their return, in 1782.

The Middlebury Historical Society announces our Capital Campaign to establish the Rochambeau Memorial in Meadowview Park.

Our goal is to raise $275,000 to build a brick plaza, complete with benches, trees and other shrubbery and flagpoles, designed by our landscape architect. We have contacted several area professional sculptors and one will be chosen to craft the statue. This monument will stand in a beautiful public park that has many visitors. In addition, it has many parking spaces and has room for school classes and others to visit and learn about American values and the veterans who sacrificed and continue to sacrifice to ensure their survival.

It will also memorialize the sacrifice of the families of Middlebury, particularly those who fought in our War for Independence. It will also serve to educate all about the values that our new nation established, and our long road to fulfilling those values.

We invite you to participate in this once in a lifetime opportunity. Please contact the Middlebury Historical Society: president@middleburyhistoricalsociety.org and let us know of your interest.

Links to our articles about Rochambeau and this memorial:

The Rochambeau Monument, April 2022 Bee-Intelligencer article

The Old Rochambeau Monument, June 2019 Bee-Intelligencer article

Rochambeau’s Visit to Middlebury, June 2016 Bee-Intelligencer article

The Middlebury Historical Society, Inc., 4 Library Road, Middlebury, Connecticut 06762; Mailing Address: P.O. Box 104, Middlebury, Connecticut 06762. Contact President@middleburyhistoricalsociety.org.