Rochambeau Day at Connecticut’s Old State House with Governor’s Guards and First Litchfield Artillery Regiment Rescheduled for October 3rd
WHO: Connecticut’s Old State House
WHAT: Rochambeau Day Ceremony with Governor’s Guards & First
Litchfield Artillery Regiment
WHERE: Connecticut’s Old State House Lawn
800 Main Street, Hartford
WHEN: Saturday, October 3, 2026
TIME: 10:45 am Governor’s Guard will travel from the State Capitol to
Connecticut’s Old State House
(Hartford, CT) – In celebration of the 250th anniversary of America’s independence, Connecticut’s Old State House will host the First Company Governor’s Foot Guard & Band, First & Second Company Governor's Horse Guard, and the First Litchfield Artillery Regiment, to commemorate Rochambeau Day on Saturday, October 3 at 10:45 a.m. The public is invited to gather on the lawn for a family-friendly ceremony including a wreath laying and a musket and cannon volley. Afterwards, enjoy refreshments, tours, and conversation with Generals George Washington (John Koopman III) and Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, Comte de Rochambeau (Eric Dutaud) with paid admission to the museum. Those sensitive to loud noise are encouraged to use ear protection.
Rochambeau Day commemorates the introduction of General George Washington to French General Rochambeau in Hartford in September of 1780 on the grounds where Connecticut’s Old State House was later built. Standing guard that evening was Connecticut’s own First Company Governor’s Foot Guard.
About Connecticut’s Old State House
Located in downtown Hartford, Connecticut’s Old State House served as one of Connecticut’s state capitols from 1796 to 1878 and Hartford City Hall from 1878 to 1915. Beautifully restored and preserved, this museum and civic space was declared one of the first National Historic Landmarks in 1960 and now operates under a public/private partnership between the Connecticut General Assembly and The Connecticut Democracy Center. Connecticut Old State House is recognized for statewide educational programming including Connecticut History Day, We The People: The Citizen and the Constitution, Project Citizen, and Connecticut’s Kid Governor®.