Program

Lafayette Trail

Subject

Event, People, Site

Location

5FGF+QX Leesburg, VA, USA

Lat/Long

39.176939, -77.525022

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 August 9, 1825, General Lafayette arrived in Leesburg, Virginia. During his visit, Lafayette reviewed troops, met with veterans, and citizens at the public house and town hall, as well as dined at the courthouse. Lafayette and his companions, the former U.S. Presidents John Quincy Adams and James Monroe, then attended a baptism ceremony at the residence of William Temple Thomson Mason, which is now the Temple Hall Farm Regional Park. In his Memoirs, John Quincy Adams briefly recounted the event:

“We left the table about sunset, and went to a Mr. Mason’s, where two children were baptized, one named Mary La Fayette, to which the General stood sponsor, and the other Maria Louisa, for whom, at the request of the parents, Mr. Monroe and myself were sponsors.”

Lafayette stayed the night at Ludwell Lee’s residence and departed the following morning to continue his tour to Washington, D.C.

Links

• The Lafayette Trail
• Temple Hall Farm Regional Park