The George Washington Trail |

Did you know that George Washington visited Durham for the second time on October 19, 1789, and the George Washington Trail commemorates his route through town?

George Washington first traveled through Durham and Wallingford on June 29, 1775. He went from Philadelphia to Cambridge to assume command of the Continental Army. Just before his first term as President, he toured New England to familiarize himself with the country, visiting on October 19, 1789. More information about Washington’s visit can be found at https://www.townofdurhamct.org/washingtontrail.

Local student William Foster, a member of Boy Scout in Troop 27 in Durham, is restoring and promoting the George Washington Trail as my Eagle Scout Project. He will be replacing and restoring markers which have gone missing or been damaged. This project has also created a web page linked to the Durham town website, providing more information on George Washington’s visits. The website will be shown on small signs to be attached to the markers.

This project is supported by funding from private donors and from the Coginchaug Valley Education Foundation.

Want to learn more? Check out these library books on George Washington.

For Adults:

George Washington’s Military Genius by Dave R. Palmer

George Washington’s Secret Six: The Spy Ring that Saved the American Revolution by Brian Kilmeade

His Excellency: George Washington by Joseph J. Ellis

In the Hurricane’s Eye: The Genius of George Washington and the Victory at Yorktown by Nathaniel Philbrick

1776 by David G. McCullough

Valiant Ambition: George Washington, Benedict Arnold, And The Fate Of The American Revolution by Nathaniel Philbrick

Washington: A Life by Ron Chernow

For Kids:

George vs. George: the American Revolution as Seen From Both Sides by Rosalyn Schanzer