Community Corner
Manville Gets 'Victory Town' Marker Honoring French-American Revolutionary War
About 5,000 French troops crossed the Van Veghten Bridge into present-day Manville in August 1781.
MANVILLE, NJ - Manville became the first municipality in the country to unveil a "Victory Town" historic marker commemorating the march of thousands of French and American troops through the region on their way to winning the American Revolution at Yorktown in 1781, borough officials announced.
The marker was unveiled May 4 at Borough Hall — the exact 248th anniversary of the day the Continental Congress formally ratified its alliance with France, the military partnership that proved decisive in securing American independence. Honorary French Consul Anne de Broca-Hoppenot was among the dignitaries on hand, along with Assemblyman Erik Peterson, NJSSAR President Chris Sands and reenactors portraying General Rochambeau and George Washington.
In August 1781, roughly 5,000 French officers and troops, along with 1,800 oxen and 1,500 horses, crossed the Van Veghten Bridge over the Raritan River into what is now Manville as part of the march south to Yorktown. Approximately 200 municipalities across nine states and the District of Columbia witnessed the march, with each earning the "Victory Town" designation from the National Washington Rochambeau Revolutionary Route Association (W3R-US).
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"It's a huge honor to be the first municipality in the country to unveil one of these beautiful markers," Mayor Richard Onderko said in a statement. "It's an opportunity for Manville to take pride in its history and educate residents and visitors alike to one of the most significant moments in our history as we celebrate our 250th anniversary of our independence."
W3R-US Victory Towns 250 Project Director Brad Fay noted the pivotal role of France in the outcome of the Revolution. "Without our first ally, France, the American experiment in self-government would not have happened," Fay said.
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Additional Victory Town markers are expected to be unveiled in Franklin, Montgomery and Rocky Hill in the coming months.
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