Program

Lafayette Trail

Subject

Event, People, Site

Location

558 Norwich Rd, Plainfield, CT 06374, USA

Lat/Long

41.68241, -71.91434

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 August 22, 1824, the Marquis de Lafayette traveled through Plainfield, Connecticut. That night he stayed at Eaton’s Tavern, located on the southern corner of Gallup and Norwich Streets.

Lafayette’s party had departed from New London earlier that morning, and attended a reception held in his honor in Norwich earlier that day. On August 23, he continued on to Providence to visit the state house before arriving in the Boston area that evening.

History of Eaton’s Tavern

Captain Joseph Eaton is believed to have built the tavern in 1768 along the stagecoach route connecting Providence and Norwich, which later became a national road. The site hosted several notable Revolutionary War figures:

• George Washington: Documented as stopping at the tavern in April 1776 while traveling from Cambridge to New York.
• Rochambeau’s Officers: Stayed at the tavern for four days in 1781 while their troops were encamped nearby.

The structure has since been demolished.