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LAFAYETTE’S TOUR

Program
Lafayette Trail
Subject
Event, People
Location
540 Jones Ave, Braddock, PA 15104, USA
Lat/Long
40.40298, -79.8634
Grant Recipient
The Lafayette Trail, Inc.
Historic Marker

LAFAYETTE’S TOUR

Inscription

LAFAYETTE'S TOUR
ON MAY 29, 1825, GENERAL
LAFAYETTE VISITED BRADDOCK'S
FIELD AND SPENT THE NIGHT AT
THE WALLACE MANSION. HE LEFT
FOR PITTSBURGH THE NEXT DAY.
WILLIAM G. POMEROY FOUNDATION 2022

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 29, 1825 General Lafayette stopped in Braddock, PA and overnighted at the Wallace Mansion before departing for Pittsburgh. The June 10, 1825 edition of the US Gazette briefly mentions the visit:

The general and family came down the Yonghiogany [Monongahela River] from Elizabethtown in a barge, and arrived at Braddock’s fields, at the hospitable mansion of Geo. Wallace, esqr. on Sunday evening last.