Program

Lafayette Trail

Subject

Event, People

Location

1884 Massachusetts Ave, Lexington, MA 02421, USA

Lat/Long

42.448586291149, -71.229985977626

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 the afternoon of September 2, 1824, General Lafayette was welcomed to the community of Lexington, MA. The September 8, 1824 edition of the Middlesex Gazette reported the following about the visit:

At the line of town he was received and welcomed by the Chief Marshal, Major Chandler, and a national salute was fired from an adjoining hill. He was escorted thence to the centre of town by a cavalcade of citizens and officers in uniform. At Lock’s Tavern, an arch, handsomely decorated, was thrown across the road, bearing the inscription: “Welcome friend of America to the birth place of American Liberty.”