Program

Lafayette Trail

Subject

Event, People, Site

Location

Washington Street at City Hall Park, Barre, VT 05641, USA

Lat/Long

44.196854, -72.500636

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.

On his way to visit the capital city of Vermont, Montpelier, General Lafayette and his entourage were met in the nearby town of Barre by Chief Marshal Colonel Wiggins at 8pm. General Lafayette and his group, which included the Vermont Governor Van Ness and his aids, were then escorted to Montpelier, arriving at 9pm. Some of the crowd had dispersed by then since they had been anticipated at 5pm. Nevertheless, General Lafayette was greeted on his arrival in Montpelier by the Washington Artillery, the Montpelier Light Infantry, and Capt. Taplin’s Infantry of Berlin.