Program

Lafayette Trail

Subject

Event, People

Location

2 1st St #614, Troy, NY 12180, USA

Lat/Long

42.731326949391, -73.692527959274

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 18, 1824, General Lafayette was received at the Troy House. The September 28, 1824 edition of The Statesman recalls the visit:

When the head of the procession arrived at Troy House, it halted; and the General moved forward between the open ranks of the military, to the front of the building, where he alighted, and was conducted into the front parlour, which was tastefully decorated on the occasion.

The article continues:

After a few moments passed in this room, the General was conducted up stairs and out upon an open balcony on a level with the second floor, where he had full view of the crowd, and at the same time gave the eager multitude a favourable opportunity to see him – to see his lineaments, and feast their eyes on his beaming and benignant face.

The article concludes with details about General Lafayette’s visit to the Troy Female Seminary:

…the General expressed his happiness at such a cordial reception from the ladies of Troy; and was then conducted up the arbor to the front of the edifice, on the steps of which, the Principal of the Seminary, Mrs. Emma Willard, was waiting to receive him…He was handed up the steps and introduced to Mrs. Willard by Mrs. Pawling. On the landing place he found himself under a canopy of evergreens and flowers, from the center of which, and directly over his head, depended a beautiful wreath.