Bolton to erect signs for historic war camp

Sep. 16—BOLTON — The town will hold a celebratory event Sept. 25 to dedicate three new signs marking a campsite of Revolutionary War troops at Bolton Heritage Farm, 266 Bolton Center Road.

The signs will mark the fifth French campsite along the 680-mile Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route, which was named a National Historic Trail in 2009.

The trail was used by the forces of French General comte de Rochambeau and American troops under Gen. George Washington during the war between the American colonies and Great Britain.

The Celebrating Your Farm dedication event, sponsored by the Bolton Heritage Farm Commission, will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. and is free for all.

Attractions include the unveiling of the signs, food trucks, and live music from Dennis Sheridan and the Bolton High School Jazz Band.

First Selectwoman Pamela Sawyer said the town received a $20,000 grant from the U.S. National Parks Service, $8,000 of which went to the three signs.

In the midst of the Revolutionary War, French forces landed in Rhode Island in July 1780, totaling 450 officers and 5,300 men, intending to launch an offensive in Phillipsburg, New York with Gen. George Washington's forces.

The French forces spent the winter months in Newport, Rhode Island and Lebanon, Connecticut before heading out in June 1781. The path they took roughly follows Route 6 in Andover to Bolton, and Interstate 384 in East Hartford and Manchester.

After uniting in July 1781, the armies changed their plan and headed south to Yorktown, Virginia.

By the time the American and French forces arrived in late September, a French admiral had blocked the Chesapeake Bay with his warships, which led to a three-week offensive and the eventual surrender of British forces in October.

Joseph covers East Hartford and South Windsor. He joined the JI in July 2021. Joseph graduated from the University of Connecticut and he is an avid guitarist and coffee enthusiast.