Program

Lafayette Trail

Subject

Event, People, Site

Location

2 Neponset St, South Walpole, MA 02071, USA

Lat/Long

42.104829812072, -71.261113820425

Grant Recipient

The Lafayette Trail, Inc.

When America declared its independence on July 4, 1776, the thirteen colonies were pulled into a conflict with one of the world’s most formidable powers, Great Britain. The colonies’ actions against Great Britain inspired a young French aristocrat and military officer, Marquis de Lafayette, to depart his native France to fight in the American Revolution. Lafayette served as a commander with the Continental Army throughout the war and helped secure French support for the American cause. This support played an integral part in securing American victory during the war.

Celebrated as a hero in the U.S. and France, Lafayette eventually returned to his home country. In 1824 Marquis de Lafayette was invited to visit the United States for the first time in 41 years. As an American hero and one of the only surviving commanders from the Revolution, Lafayette’s visit to the U.S. was highly anticipated and met with a great deal of enthusiasm and excitement. Lafayette’s Tour extended from 1824 to 1825. During this time he visited Washington D.C., as well as major cities and small communities across 24 states.

As General Lafayette travelled between Providence, RI, and Boston, MA, he stopped in Walpole, MA on August 23, 1824. His passage through Massachusetts was often delayed by celebrations in the smaller towns along the way, and Walpole was noted as particularly exuberant, and warranting of a delay in his trip. Lafayette stopped at Fuller’s Tavern, where four companies of volunteer militia paid their salute to him, necessitating him to greet them before proceeding on to Dedham. The papers reported that “At every place he stopped he was surrounded by a crowd of eager and ardent, but respectful visitants” (Statesman, August 31, 1824).