Program

Lafayette Trail

Subject

Event, People, Site

Location

801 Pine St, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA

Lat/Long

39.944703, -75.155476

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.

During General Lafayette’s visit to Philadelphia from September 28^th to October 6^th of 1824, he was given many tours of significant locations around the city. One such location was the Pennsylvania Hospital on October 4^th, which he toured with his friends John Quincy Adams, at the time Secretary of State and presidential candidate, and Judge Richard Peters, the active abolitionist and former secretary of the Continental Board of War. They were also joined by the Committee of City Councils and a handful of other prominent gentlemen.

The President of the hospital Board, Samuel Coates, and three hospital managers received the group, and showed them first to the library, where they met the hospital’s steward and officers. They then proceeded on a tour of the facilities, first visiting the various wards and apartments that had been decorated lavishly for the event with wreaths, fruit baskets, and flowers. They also proceeded through the hospital’s hall and the apothecary’s shop, where many banners with celebratory messages were hung. For example, one banner read, “Welcome LaFayette, to this Asylum of the afflicted- May thy days be ended without experiencing any of their sufferings”.