Program

Lafayette Trail

Subject

Event, People, Site

Location

1411 Parsons Ave, Washington, DC 20003, USA

Lat/Long

38.8719, -76.9946

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 period of time he visited Washington D.C., as well as other major cities and small communities across 24 states.

On October 15, 1824 General Lafayette visited Navy Yard in Washington, D.C. at the invitation of  Navy Commodore Thomas Tingey. The Washington National Journal, dated October 16, 1824, recalls the event:

On entering the Yard, he was received by the Marine Corps; a full band was playing, and a national salute was fired. He was then, in company with the Secretaries of State and of the Navy, the Navy Commissioners, Com. Tingey, and a number of naval officers, taken through the Yard. Com. Rodgers explained to him the Inclined Plane, its use, and great advantages, while they were standing under the Potomack, a fine frigate of the first class, which was taken out of the water, and removed up into the Yard, upon the Inclined Plane. In answer to a question put by Gen. LaFayette, the Commodore said, fifty men could remove the frigate from the water to its present position.

The article continues:

The General appeared highly pleased with every thing he saw, and, we have no doubt, left the yard satisfied that we are inferior to no nation in the art of building and equipping vessels of war.

Links

• The Lafayette Trail