Program

Lafayette Trail

Subject

Event, People

Location

10 Vaughan Mall STE 215, Portsmouth, NH 03801, USA

Lat/Long

43.07627, -70.75955

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 September 1, 1824, General Lafayette visited Portsmouth, New Hampshire, where he was received by Governor Morrill at Franklin Hall. An article in the Concord Gazette and Middlesex Yeoman, dated September 11, 1824, captured the details of his arrival and activities:

He [Lafayette] entered Portsmouth about noon, amidst hearty welcomes and rapturous acclamations of the hardy sons of New Hampshire; salutes of artillery, and ringing of bells. The margin of the avenue to the town was lined with children, wearing the La Fayette portrait, and with Ladies behind them, presenting a very pleasing and interesting spectacle. The streets were arched with festoons, wreaths, and garlands, and crowded with an applauding multitude.

The article continues:

The procession moved through the principal streets to Franklin Hall, where the General alighted, and was welcomed to the State by the Governor. Here too he received the congratulations of the Municipal Authorities, and took by the hand the numerous body of citizens who were presented to him. He was then conducted to quarters furnished for him at the residence of the late Governor Langdon, and afterwards, to the dining hall, where a plenteous dinner was provided. After paying some visits, he attended a brilliant ball; from which, at half past eleven, he proceeded to his carriage, sat out on his return to Boston…