#MiddleburyCT #Rochambeau #MeadowviewPark #MemorialPlaza
This rendering by sculptor Tony Falcone shows the planned Rochambeau Memorial Plaza at Meadowview Park. In addition to Falcone’s sculpture of a French foot soldier, it will include benches, interpretive signage and native plantings. (Tony Falcone rendering)
By TERRY MCAULIFFE
The Town of Middlebury has formally approved plans for the Rochambeau Memorial Plaza, a Revolutionary War monument to be built at Meadowview Park. Submitted by First Selectman Edward B. St. John, the site plan received unanimous approval from the Planning and Zoning Commission on June 5, 2025, affirming the town’s full support for the initiative.
The project, led by the Middlebury Historical Society, will commemorate the 1781 march of General Rochambeau’s French army through what is now Middlebury. After years of planning, design, and community input, the memorial will focus not on generals, but on the soldiers themselves. The centerpiece will be a bronze statue of a lone French foot soldier climbing Breakneck Hill, one of the most arduous segments of the 600-mile journey to Yorktown.
“There are already memorials to General Rochambeau in Newport and Washington, D.C., but none to the actual French soldiers who did most of the marching, most of the fighting, and most of the dying,” said Dr. Mike Simms, a member of the Historical Society’s Rochambeau Memorial Subcommittee. “There will be one in Middlebury.”
The monument is scheduled to be completed in time for the national celebration of America’s 250th anniversary in 2026. It will be Middlebury’s signature contribution to the Semiquincentennial observance.
This maquette of a French foot soldier climbing Breakneck Hill was created by sculptor Tony Falcone. It will aid him as he creates the larger sculpture that will be the focus of the Rochambeau Memorial Plaza. (Judi Andrews photo)
Internationally known sculptor Tony Falcone is creating the statue, working from a historically accurate maquette (a sculptor’s small preliminary model or sketch) in his Prospect studio. The maquette of the soldier’s form can be seen in the photo to the left. Falcone is joined by renowned military artist Don Troiani, whose extensive research ensures the accuracy of the uniform and equipment details, and landscape designer Abigail Adams, whose plans for the plaza draw inspiration from 18th-century terrain while meeting modern accessibility standards.
During the June 5 meeting, Planning and Zoning Chairman Terry Smith said, “This is going to be a gorgeous project once it’s completed. We’re proud to support it and look forward to seeing it begin.”
The monument will be situated just beyond the pavilion parking area at Meadowview Park, to the right and slightly above the pavilion when you are looking from the parking area. The plaza, designed to be both contemplative and welcoming, will feature native plantings, stonework, benches, and interpretive signage. The statue will be visible from Southford Road, drawing the attention of visitors and passersby alike.
The project has already drawn strong grassroots support, but more donations are needed. Find information on donating at the end of this article.
Businessman and philanthropist Larry Janesky has pledged a $100,000 matching gift to encourage public participation. “Larry’s generosity has galvanized our efforts,” said Bob Rafford, president of the Middlebury Historical Society. “We have momentum, and we’re building something meaningful.”
Rafford, a genealogist and local historian, has long championed the monument project. For him, it represents a culmination of decades spent preserving Revolutionary War memories and tracing the stories of early Middlebury families.
Major donors include Raymond and Penny Albini, long-time Middlebury residents known for their civic involvement. The Albinis are funding the large stone base upon which the soldier will climb. Additional donor opportunities remain, with families encouraged to consider supporting the project as a legacy gift. Contributions of $1,000 or more will be permanently recognized on a brass plaque – a rare opportunity to make a lasting statement for future generations.
Though many area residents have heard the name Rochambeau – especially those with children at the regional middle school in Southbury – few have encountered the full story. Rochambeau’s troops camped in Middlebury for three days in both 1781 and 1782. Their path through Breakneck Hill is well documented, and this new monument will serve as a permanent reminder of the town’s role in securing American independence.
Importantly, the monument is being funded entirely through private donations. No town money is involved. It is a lasting gift to Middlebury from the donors.
The memorial will also be a designated point on the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route (W3R), a National Historic Trail managed by the National Park Service.
To learn more or to make a contribution, visit the Middlebury Historical Society website at middleburyhistoricalsociety.org.
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