Program

Lafayette Trail

Subject

Event, People, Site

Location

2 E Wall St, Norwalk, CT 06851, USA

Lat/Long

41.117874, -73.409915

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 Aug. 20, 1824, General Lafayette met with veterans and citizens at Cooke’s Hotel in Norwalk, Connecticut. The admiration engendered by the surviving veterans was recounted in the September 1, 1824 edition of the Saratoga Sentinel:

“Among those assembled were several revolutionary heroes, with bosoms beating high at the thought of shaking by their hand their old beloved comrade, whose memory was associated with periods of trial and endurance, which them few who experienced, now remain to relate.”

Links

• The Lafayette Trail