Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail Signs Installed throughout Rhode Island
Share this Page
A request from the Battle of Rhode Island Association in the fall of 2022 to replace 5 old W3R-US (W3R) signs in Portsmouth became a 2-year effort by the RI Department of Transportation (RIDOT) to replace all these signs in RI.
In November 2023, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) initiated a comprehensive effort to replace and install approximately 126 signs marking the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail (WARO) across Rhode Island. This project, led by RIDOT’s Sean Raymond and Ted Coleman, spans multiple towns and cities including Coventry, Scituate, Cranston, Providence, East Providence, Barrington, Warren, Bristol, Portsmouth, Middletown, and Newport
The new signs feature a 24×24 inch brown background with the WARO logo and white lettering reading “Washington Rochambeau,” accompanied by directional arrows.
This initiative builds upon earlier signage efforts that began in 2005 by W3R. W3R, a non-profit organization formed in 2001, has been instrumental in preserving and promoting this historical trail that was part of a broader initiative to commemorate the 225th anniversary of the American Revolution.
In May 2006, Rhode Island installed about 140 route markers along the W3R route and a gateway sign was placed on Route 14 at the Connecticut border in 2010.
The Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail (WARO), established by Congress as a National Park Service unit in 2009, commemorates the alliance between French and Continental armies during the American Revolution. It covers more than 700 miles across nine states and Washington D.C., following the route taken by Generals Washington and Rochambeau from Newport, RI to Yorktown, VA. Johnny Carawan, based near Philadelphia, serves as the Trail Administrator for WARO, overseeing its development and partnerships with local organizations and historical sites. Information on WARO can be found at https://nps.gov/waro/index.htm.
