Program

Lafayette Trail

Subject

Event, People

Location

54 Main St, Windsor, VT 05089, USA

Lat/Long

43.480868, -72.386114

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 June 28, 1825, General Lafayette visited Windsor, Vermont. The July 8, 1825 edition of the Portland Advertiser details the visit:

He [Lafayette] was received on the west side of Cornish bridge by a committee of the citizens of Windsor, and an address was made to him by their chairman, Horace Everett, Esq. to whom he replied in his usual felicitous manner. He was then escorted into the village. Salutes were fired as he entered the town. He alighted at Pettes’ Hotel and was introduced to Gov. Van Ness on the piazza of the Hotel, where His Excellency addressed him in a speech to which the General made a suitable reply.