Program

Lafayette Trail

Subject

Event, People

Location

218 Wilkinson St, Frankfort, KY 40601, USA

Lat/Long

38.199489301721, -84.881133315338

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 May 14,1825, General Lafayette enjoyed a ball held in his honor at Weisiger’s Tavern. The May 8, 1825 edition of newspaper, The Argus of Western America, provided a full summary of the day’s events including the following:

The procession marched through St. Clair Street to the arch on the front of the Public Square, wheeled to the left and passed down Broadway to Washington Street, up Washington Street to Montgomery Street, and up Montgomery Street to captain Weisiger’s Tavern, during which progress the ladies welcomed the General from the windows by scattering roses and waving handkerchiefs. Here the troops and citizens formed a line fronting the Tavern extending up and down the street and the General’s Barouche approached the porch where the Governor was waiting to receive him. When he alighted from his carriage, the surrounding crowd gave repeated cheers and every countenance bore witness to the intense interest which the passing scene excited

While in Frankfort, General Lafayette visited the home of Margaretta Mason Brown, wife of John Brown, one of Kentucky’s first two senators. Margaretta wrote of the introduction to Lafayette in a letter to her mother, Mrs. John Mason, of New York City, in July 12, 1825:

…the arrival of General Lafayette occasioned as much bustle (in proportion to the population) here as at New York, and I must relate a circumstance which I know will give you pleasure, as it was the cause of great gratification to me. There was a splendid Ball to be given in the evening, but as there were many Ladies who did not attend Balls, and yet wished to see the General, they were introduced to him at his Markee, I was one of the number and had such a hearty and long-continued shake of the hand as to occasion the envy of many an impatient expectant…

Links

• The Lafayette Trail