MIDDLEBURY — As the United States prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary of independence, Middlebury Historical Society is commemorating a powerful yet often overlooked chapter of Revolutionary War history — one that marched quite literally through its own hills.

The Rochambeau Monument Project, spearheaded by the society, will honor the French soldiers who encamped on Breakneck Hill in 1781 and 1782 as part of General Rochambeau’s army. The society decided to depict a French soldier rather than Rochambeau himself, which sets this monument apart from existing Rochambeau tributes in Washington, Newport, and Yorktown.

The Rochambeau Monument Project represents one of the most ambitious civic and cultural undertakings in Middlebury’s recent history. Fueled by generous community support — including a significant contribution from Larry and Marie Janesky, the State of Connecticut, and sustained local fundraising — Middlebury Historical Society has secured the funds necessary to bring their vision to life.

Robert Rafford, president of Middlebury Historical Society, said the project “is the most significant tribute to Rochambeau and the French army, not only in Middlebury, but in Connecticut, and will be a major attraction on the entire Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route.”

The statue will be installed at Meadowview Park, 190 Southford Road (Route 188) in Middlebury, within a newly created plaza designed by Abigail Adams of A2 Land Consulting and built by Vincent Vizzo from Oxford.

The dedication ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, June 27, from 1 to 3 pm, marking the 245th anniversary of the French encampment at Breakneck Hill.

“As our nation approaches its 250th anniversary, the Rochambeau Monument Project invites residents and visitors to pause and reflect on the shared sacrifices that shaped our freedom,” said Rafford. “This monument is more than a sculpture — it is a symbol of unity, a testament to courage, and a proud reminder that even small towns can play a meaningful role in world-changing history.”

A Monumental Work Of Art

At the heart of the project is acclaimed sculptor Tony Falcone of Falcone Art Studios in Prospect, whose reputation in public art and monument design made him a natural choice for the commission.

Falcone’s approach blends artistic vision with historical precision. He wanted to portray the struggle and determination it took to traverse Breakneck Hill.

“I always strive to create art that appeals to a wide audience and complements the environment,” Falcone said. “With regard to sculpting the French soldier for the Middlebury Historical Society, the goal is to create a monument that is historically accurate, dynamic, and visually moving — figuratively and literally.”

The Art And Science Of Bronze

Transforming Falcone’s full-scale clay sculpture into a large-scale bronze monument is as technically demanding as it is artistically significant — an intricate collaboration of art, metallurgy, chemistry, engineering, and architecture.

The creation of the statue was entrusted to George Mummert’s Foundry in Pennsylvania, utilizing the lost-wax casting process, a technique with origins dating back thousands of years. The meticulous process begins with the careful application of rubber and plaster molds to the original clay model, capturing every intricate fiber, fold, and muscle. Wax is then cast into these molds, which provides Falcone the opportunity to refine and perfect the minutest details.

The wax forms are subsequently dipped as many as 12 times into liquid ceramic, creating a robust, hardened shell. Each piece is fired in a kiln at nearly 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, while molten bronze is prepared to a white-hot liquid state.

As the wax melts away, the bronze is poured in, filling every contour. The resulting sections — up to 16 in total — are welded together and “chased” with grinders and even dental tools to ensure no seam is visible.

As Falcone noted, "Fine details of skin, fabric, leather and equipment are a primary consideration when creating a realistic monument. The variety of textures involved not only present a creative challenge but also enrich the final work.”

The completed monument will weigh 15 tons, a testament to both its artistic and engineering mastery.

Upon completion, the bronze soldier will stand atop a carefully selected pink granite base from Branford’s Stony Creek Quarry, renowned for providing stone to the Statue of Liberty in New York, the Smithsonian Museum, and Columbia University.

Falcone hopes the emotional impact matches the artistry.

“My fondest hope is that people viewing the statue will feel what I felt when I finished the final full-scale clay model: a sense of wonder for what it must have felt like to be this soldier who traveled thousands of miles to help us win freedom from oppression; gratitude for that soldier’s help,” he said.

A National Educational Landmark

Beyond its artistic significance, the monument will hold federal historical recognition. It will become part of the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route, a 680-mile National Historic Trail established by Congress in 2009 that traces the allied army’s march from Newport, Rhode Island to Yorktown, Virginia, passing through Newtown in addition to several other local communities.

For students, historians, and visitors, the sculpture will serve as a living classroom — a tangible reminder that the American Revolution was not won in isolation.

Middlebury Historical Society sees the monument not simply as a memorial, but as a long-term investment in civic pride and historical awareness.

“This monument ensures that future generations understand the crucial role French troops played in supporting the American cause,” Rafford said. “Liberty was not won by one nation alone. It was secured through partnership, perseverance, and profound sacrifice.”

The Rochambeau Memorial Project is being led by Middlebury Historical Society to honor the French soldiers who marched through Middlebury during America’s fight for independence. The project includes a bronze statue by sculptor Tony Falcone, a granite base, and a landscaped plaza at Meadowview Park.

The project is funded entirely through private donations, including a challenge grant from local businessman Larry Janesky.

Middlebury Historical Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. To learn more or to contribute, visit middleburyhistoricalsociety.org.