The Museum at Newport Historical Society's The French in 1780 Newport

Join the Museum at Newport Historical Society in Newport, Rhode Island, for their three-day The French in 1780 Newport living history event where we will set up our First Oval Office Project, a recreated Revolutionary War encampment, including handsewn, full-scale replicas of General George Washington's sleeping marquee, dining tent, baggage tent, and common tents that served as his mobile headquarters while on campaign.

Thousands of French troops landed in Newport in July 1780 starting an occupation that lasted for nearly a year. The presence of this new ally represented a turning point in the American Revolution. While French troops played a vital role in American victory at Yorktown in 1781, Newport citizens were far from welcoming upon their arrival in 1780. The French in Newport Weekend will feature living historians portraying recognizable figures such as George and Martha Washington along with the head of the French army, comte de Rochambeau. Dozens of costumed living historians representing both civilians and French soldiers will discuss what it was like to build a relationship with this new ally. Programming will take place outside of the Great Friends Meeting House, the Colony House and the Wanton-Lyman-Hazard House.