Rochambeau Map Collection - Library of Congress
What’s the story about the Rochambeau Map Collection at the Library of Congress? The Rochambeau Map Collection at the Library of Congress is a historically significant archive containing maps, plans, and documents used by French General Jean-Baptiste-Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, who commanded the French expeditionary army during the American Revolution from 1780 to 1782. The collection includes 40 manuscript maps, 26 printed maps, and a manuscript atlas dating from 1717 to 1795, representing one of the most important Americana acquisitions made by the Library, which purchased the papers in 1883 directly from Rochambeau's descendant for $20,000—a sum equivalent to roughly $625,000 today.blogs.loc+1Collection HighlightsThe maps cover much of eastern North America, from Newfoundland and Labrador south to Haiti, with particular focus on Revolutionary War battles, military campaigns, and cities involved in the conflict.loc+1Many of the maps were used during the war, including detailed plans of French encampments on the famous march from Yorktown to Boston following the allied victory over British forces at Yorktown.connecticuthistory+1The manuscript atlas contains unique plans of 54 French army camps during the 1782 march, displaying topographical layouts, roads, water supplies, and troop positions, offering vital insights into the logistical and strategic planning behind a transcontinental military campaign.loc+1Historical ImportanceThe maps illuminate not only military actions but also Rochambeau’s enduring interest in the fledgling United States, with several items depicting early state boundaries from the 1790s.locThe acquisition predated the establishment of the Library’s Geography & Map Division and underlined the importance of cartographic records in both the study and conduct of war.blogs.locThese maps were originally part of Rochambeau's personal papers and have since become a key scholarly resource for understanding the Franco-American alliance during the Revolution as well as the practical realities of conducting large-scale military operations in North America.blogs.loc+1Ongoing SignificanceThe Library of Congress continues to digitize and make available these historic maps, preserving their legacy and accessibility for historical research, teaching, and public exploration.locThe collection is often used alongside related archives, such as the papers of George Washington and other French and American Revolutionary leaders, to better contextualize the strategic military landscape of the era.hdl.loc+1In summary, the Rochambeau Map Collection is a vital artifact of Revolutionary-era cartography, strategy, and collaboration, providing an unparalleled glimpse into the military affairs and geopolitical transformations of late 18th-century America.loc+2https://blogs.loc.gov/maps/2024/11/franco-american-maps/https://www.loc.gov/collections/rochambeau-maps/about-this-collection/https://connecticuthistory.org/map-rochambeaus-camp-at-danbury/https://blogs.princeton.edu/manuscripts/2013/11/27/berthiers-manuscript-maps-of-america-1781-82/https://hdl.loc.gov/loc.mss/eadmss.ms010136.3https://www.loc.gov/resource/g3701sm.gar00001/?sp=8https://www.loc.gov/collections/rochambeau-maps/about-this-collection/related-resources/https://archives.internetscout.org/r23388/the_rochambeau_map_collectionhttps://dlg.usg.edu/record/loc_rochambeau-mapshttps://blogs.loc.gov/maps/category/18th-century-cartography/?gca=232 Library of Congress
