The Newport Historical Society will transform Washington Square into an 18th-century French encampment this Saturday, July 12, as the annual “French in Newport” living history event returns from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The event commemorates the Franco-American Alliance and the 12,000 French soldiers and sailors who were stationed in Newport during the Revolutionary War. This year’s celebration takes on added significance as the nation approaches the 250th anniversary of American independence.
“As we ramp up our celebrations of America’s 250th anniversary, our annual living history event is more meaningful than ever,” said Rebecca Bertrand, executive director of the Newport Historical Society. “The Franco-American Alliance was born here in Newport and was a definitive milestone in our nation’s pursuit of independence.”
Family-Friendly Activities Throughout the Day
Saturday’s event will feature numerous activities for families, including a free silhouette artist, an 18th-century kids dress-up station with “traveling trunks” from the American Revolution Institute, and a make-your-own-boat station with the National Park Service. Pet owners can participate in the NPS’s BARK Ranger and PURRK Ranger program, which provides badges and bandanas for four-legged visitors.
The day will kick off with a 10 a.m. wreath laying ceremony at the statue of Rochambeau at King Park, hosted by the American Society of Le Souvenir Français.
Historical Performances and Demonstrations
The Colony House will host a packed schedule of programming, beginning at 11 a.m. with an 18th-century medicine demonstration, followed by an interview with the Marquis de Chastellux at 11:45 a.m. At 1 p.m., Charter Books will sponsor a pop-up book signing featuring Revolutionary War author Molly Beer discussing “Angelica: For Love and County in a Time of Revolution.”
The afternoon will feature interviews with the Comte de Lafayette and the Comte de Rochambeau from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., concluding with a final performance by the Middlesex County Volunteers Fifes & Drums from the Colony House steps.
At nearby Eisenhower Park, the Middlesex County Volunteers Fifes & Drums will perform every half hour from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The park will also host 18th-century fashion and textiles presentations and Indigenous Music & Storytelling programming.
Partnership with National Park Service
The event is presented in partnership with the National Park Service Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail, which originates in Newport and spans 680 miles across nine states plus the District of Columbia. The trail follows the routes taken by American and French armies under General Washington and Comte de Rochambeau to and from the Siege of Yorktown.
All programming is free and open to the public. For a complete schedule of events and activities, visit https://newporthistory.org/event/french-in-newport-2025/.
The Newport Historical Society, founded in 1854, is a nonprofit dedicated to preserving Newport County’s rich history through its six properties, extensive collections, and community educational programs.