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Celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence right here in Middlebury, Connecticut!
Celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence right here in Middlebury, Connecticut!
From Memorial Day through Veterans Day 2026, we invite every resident to take part in honoring America's 250th by decorating homes, businesses, and neighborhoods in red, white, and blue. Whether it’s flags, bunting, lights, or creative displays, your participation will help transform our town into a vibrant tribute to the ideals, history, and heroes of the United States.
Together, we can remembers those who served, celebrate our shared heritage, and inspire future generations.
Join your neighbors in making Middlebury shine with American pride!
Next Up
History Hunt 2026
History Hunt 2026
For all HISTORY HEROES seeking fun!
Hey curious minds, think you know the significance of Breakneck during Rochambeau's March? Let’s find out. Grab your walking shoes and a sense of adventure. You're about to dive into a history hunt like no other. As you walk the Middlebury Greenway, pause to read about significant stops along the Rochambeau Trail, from its beginnings in Rhode Island, to its conclusion at the Battle of Yorktown. Beginning in late July, explore Middlebury's historic connection to the Revolutionary Cause! Stayed tuned for the opening!
9/11/2026
9/11/2026
Courtesy of the International Fire and Safety Journal
Courtesy of the International Fire and Safety Journal
Middlebury, Connecticut will solemnly mark the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001 with a community remembrance honoring the nearly 3,000 lives lost and the courage of first responders. Town officials, veterans, and residents are expected to gather to reflect on the impact of that day, observe moments of silence, and reaffirm a shared commitment to unity and service. As flags are lowered to half-staff, Middlebury will join communities across the nation in ensuring that the memory of 9/11 endures for future generations.
Completed Events 2026
July 2, 2026 Concert
July 2, 2026 Concert
Did you know that the Second Continental Congress officially declared its freedom from Great Britain on July 2, 1776, "That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States?" On July 2, 1776, they voted to approve the legal resolution for independence, and on July 4, 1776, they formally adopted the written Declaration of Independence.
In honor of this momentous occasion, members of the community joined us for a concert at the Gazebo at Shepardson Community Center in celebration. Folks brought their chairs and blankets and enjoyed an evening of music and community spirit. Middlebury Parks and Recreation kicked off its first summer concert of the series with Social Convention. A wonderful time was had by all!
July 4, 2026 Independence Day
July 4, 2026 Independence Day
On July 4, 2026, the United States marked the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Communities nationwide celebrated this Semiquincentennial with events reflecting on the nation’s founding ideals and ongoing journey toward liberty and equality.
Folks joined us on the Middlebury Green to celebrate Middlebury's role in our nation's history! We honored this momentous occasion with a reading of the Declaration of Independence in front of Middlebury's Town Hall followed by the ringing of the bells to honor the 13 colonies that would become our first states, along with a 14th to honor our future as a nation.
After the ringing of the bells, the community became a part of history as we buried a time capsule on the green to be opened in another 100 years!
Festivities have been completed! It was a wonderful way to recognize the 250th Anniversary of the Signing of the Declaration of Independence!
Image Courtesy of the Library of Congress
Image Courtesy of the Library of Congress
Rochambeau at Breakneck
(by LéAnn Murphy Cassidy)
Summer hangs heavy over Breakneck,
the air sweet with hayfields
and the scent of pine rising from the hills.
The road winds through the countryside
like a brown ribbon stitched across the land,
past stone walls not yet old,
past weathered farmhouses,
past fields glowing gold beneath a late June sun.
Then comes the sound.
First a distant murmur,
as though the earth itself has begun to speak.
Then the rumble of wagons,
the jingle of harness chains,
the measured drumbeat of thousands of marching feet.
Out of the heat and haze they appear
a river of blue coats and white crossbelts,
flowing westward through the Connecticut hills,
their bayonets catching the sunlight
like a thousand scattered stars.
At their head rides Rochambeau,
his gaze fixed beyond the horizon,
beyond these quiet farms and wooded ridges,
beyond the winding roads of New England.
He carries with him
the hopes of a French king,
the courage of an army,
and the promise of a friendship
forged across an ocean.
The people of Breakneck gather to watch.
Children stand barefoot in the dust,
eyes wide with wonder.
Farmers pause in their fields,
leaning on worn wooden handles,
their work forgotten for a moment.
Women shade their eyes
and watch the endless procession pass.
French voices drift through the warm air,
strange and musical,
mingling with birdsong
and the whisper of wind through maple leaves.
As evening falls,
campfires bloom across the landscape
like orange flowers in the gathering dark.
The hills glow softly.
Smoke rises toward a sky
painted with violet and gold.
Somewhere a fiddle sings.
Somewhere a soldier writes a letter home,
his thoughts crossing the Atlantic
to villages he may never see again.
And above them all,
the stars shine with ancient indifference,
unaware that history is sleeping
among the Connecticut hills.
Tomorrow the march will continue.
Southward.
Toward rivers and crossroads,
toward Virginia,
toward a place called Yorktown.
The men do not yet know
how near they stand to victory.
They cannot see the surrender to come,
the flags lowered,
the war drawing to its long-awaited end.
They know only the road.
The dust.
The weight of their packs.
The steady rhythm of one foot
placed before another.
Yet here in Breakneck,
for one brief night,
the future pauses.
The fields listen.
The hills keep watch.
As the summer wind carries the sound
of an allied army moving toward destiny
a sound that lingers still,
like an echo among the trees,
like the fading glow of campfires,
like the memory of freedom
coming over the horizon.
Rochambeau Memorial Dedication Ceremony
Rochambeau Memorial Dedication Ceremony
By Tony Falcone, Courtesy of the Middlebury Historical Society
By Tony Falcone, Courtesy of the Middlebury Historical Society
The Significance of Rochambeau's March
In the summer of 1781, one of the most important military movements of the American Revolution passed through what is now the Town of Middlebury, Connecticut. The French army under the command of General Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, Comte de Rochambeau marched south from Rhode Island to join forces with General George Washington in a campaign that would ultimately lead to the decisive victory at Yorktown.
At the time, the area known today as Middlebury was part of Waterbury and included the small farming community of Breakneck. In June 1781, thousands of French soldiers, accompanied by cavalry, artillery, supply wagons, camp followers, and support personnel, traveled along Connecticut’s roads on their way toward New York and Virginia. Rochambeau's forces established an encampment in Breakneck, where they rested, reorganized, and prepared for the next stage of their journey. For local residents, the arrival of a disciplined European army must have been an extraordinary sight. French troops in their white uniforms, artillery teams, musicians, and officers transformed the quiet countryside into a bustling military camp.
The encampment at Breakneck represented far more than a temporary stop along a marching route. It symbolized the growing alliance between the fledgling United States and France, a partnership that proved essential to American independence. France provided soldiers, naval power, military expertise, and financial support that the struggling Continental Army could not easily obtain on its own. The presence of Rochambeau's army in Connecticut demonstrated the commitment of France to the American cause and highlighted the international nature of the Revolution.
The march through Connecticut was carefully planned and executed. French troops moved in separate divisions, encamping at designated locations to minimize the burden on local communities. The route, now known as the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route, passed through numerous Connecticut towns and remains one of the best-documented military marches in American history. The Breakneck encampment was an important link in this chain of movement that brought French and American forces together for the final campaign of the war.
The significance of Rochambeau’s stay in Breakneck became clear only months later. After joining Washington, the combined American and French armies executed a brilliant strategic maneuver that trapped the British army commanded by Charles Cornwallis at Yorktown, Virginia. Supported by the French fleet under Admiral François Joseph Paul de Grasse, the allied forces besieged Cornwallis and forced his surrender on October 19, 1781. This victory effectively ended major military operations in the Revolutionary War and secured the path toward American independence.
Today, the story of Rochambeau’s march and encampment in Breakneck reminds us that even small communities played a role in shaping the course of history. The fields and roads of present-day Middlebury became part of a vast military operation that helped change the world. The French soldiers who camped here were participants in a campaign that culminated in one of the most decisive victories in American history. Their presence serves as a lasting reminder of the importance of international cooperation, shared sacrifice, and the enduring friendship between France and the United States forged during the struggle for independence.
Memorial Day 2026
Memorial Day 2026
The 2026 Memorial Day Ceremony in Middlebury brought the community together in remembrance and gratitude as residents honored the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation through patriotic music by the Mattatuck Fife and Drum Corps, reflections by the Middlebury Poet Laureate Bailey Quinn, and tributes to local veterans by First Selectwoman Jennifer Mahr, the ceremony serves as a meaningful reminder of the courage, sacrifice, and enduring spirit that have shaped both our town and our country as America approaches its 250th anniversary.
Tree Dedication
Tree Dedication
It was a beautiful day for planting. Arbor Day saw a new tree planted on the Middlebury Green in honor of the 250th Anniversary of America. A Princeton Elm and 200 trees to give away were donated by Eversource. DPW and Eversource were enchanted by their helpers from Pre-School on the Green
T-shirt Design Contest
T-shirt Design Contest
Do you have a creative idea? Did you know that next year is the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence? Show your community spirit and design our Middlebury, CT America 250 T-shirt!- The contest is already closed. Stay tuned for your chance to purchase a t-shirt to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of America!
Congratulations to our T-Shirt Design Contest Winner and Runner-ups!
T-Shirt Design Contest Winner: Annika Kolloju
T-Shirt Design Contest Winner: Annika Kolloju
Congratulations to Annika Kolloju whose artwork was selected as the winning design. Her design will be used on the community T-shirts that will be available for purchase in celebration of the 250th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Runner up
Runner up
Congratulations to Henrietta Chesney-House!
Runner up
Runner up
Congratulations to Samuel Rocha!
Completed Events 2025
Completed Events 2025
Veterans Day 2025- Kickoff
Veterans Day 2025- Kickoff
Middlebury250 came out in spectacular fashion to honor our Veterans. Memorial Middle School played host to a ceremony to teach about the significance of the day and its history, while also honoring our local veterans. Click the link below.
Rochambeau Groundbreaking Ceremony 2025
Rochambeau Groundbreaking Ceremony 2025
photo by Robert Mastroiani
photo by Robert Mastroiani
The Middlebury Historical Society held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Rochambeau Memorial Monument on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. in Meadowview Park, CT. The project will feature a 1.25-times life-size bronze statue of a French infantryman by sculptor Tony Falcone, honoring the soldiers who camped in Middlebury in 1781 on their way to assist at the Battle of Yorktown.
Revolutionary War Series
Revolutionary War Series
The Middlebury CT Historical Society Revolutionary lecture series is a community-focused program that brings the American Revolution to life through engaging talks by noted historians, authors, and subject-matter experts.
Veterans Hall of Honor
Veterans Hall of Honor
In Middlebury, Connecticut, a Veterans Hall of Honor celebrates the service and contributions of local residents and those with deep ties to the community who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. This recognition honors not just military service, but the continued commitment of veterans to civic life, volunteerism, and community leadership after their time in uniform. Beginning on Memorial Day through 9/11, the Hall of Honor will be open to the public on the lower level of the Shepherdson Community Center during the week from
9-4, M-F.
Middlebury Public Library Celebrates 250 Years of Books
Middlebury Public Library Celebrates 250 Years of Books
Middlebury Public Library is celebrating the America 250 anniversary with a special “Journey Through Books” series: a year-long exploration of titles that illuminate the stories, ideas, and voices that have shaped American life. Each month, the library highlights and discusses a different book connected to this theme, inviting readers of all ages to reflect on history and community through literature as part of the national 250th anniversary observance. Click on the link above to access the Library's webpage for information.
Middlebury Honors America's 250th
Middlebury Honors America's 250th
Middlebury, Connecticut proudly joins communities across the nation in commemorating the 250th anniversary of American independence. Through educational programs, community events, and historical reflections centered around the town green, Middlebury honors its Revolutionary-era roots while celebrating the enduring ideals of liberty, civic responsibility, and unity that continue to shape the nation.
Photos on this website, unless otherwise noted, are taken by LMC
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