Robert Selig on The Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail in the State of New Hampshire

Without French military assistance, the American Revolution could very easily have had a different ending. During the critical years from 1780 to 1783, French troops and ships supported American forces throughout New England and the mid-Atlantic states, wearing down British efforts to subdue its former colonies and helping turn the tide in America’s bid for independence. In the fall of 1782, four French ships arrived in Portsmouth to repair and refit during the American Revolution. During the nearly five months the ships remained in the area, French officers stayed with Portsmouth families, interacted with suppliers and shipbuilders in the region, and advised local authorities on the construction of defenses for Portsmouth harbor. Documenting their visit in ship logs, journals, and letters, they left a remarkable record of the time they spent in Portsmouth. Join historian Robert Selig of the Washington-Rochambeau National Historic Trail as he delves into the experiences of these French officers and their impressions of revolutionary New Hampshire. Funding for this free program was provided by the National Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route Association (www.W3R-US.org).

Free and open to the public.