Westchester Will Celebrate Lafayette's Return Like It's 1824

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NY — There might not have been a United States of America, if not for the contributions of the Marquis de La Fayette, better known simply as "Lafayette" to Yankees.

But years after the Revolutionary War victory, the nation's survival was not guaranteed, and it was a return visit by the hero to the fledgling experiment in self-determination that helped unite a fractured country.

This weekend, several communities throughout Westchester will welcome descendants of American Revolutionary War hero-Frenchman Lafayette on the 200th Anniversary of his 1824 triumphant return to America. Lafayette is known as the most decorated foreigner in American history, and was given honorary American citizenship by an act of Congress in 2002.

County Executive George Latimer has designated Sunday, August 18, 2024, as Lafayette Day in Westchester County.

Dr. Peter Feinman, of The American Friends of Lafayette at the Institute of History, Archaeology, and Education, explains the historical events behind Lafayette Day:

"The country was bitterly divided. A contentious presidential election loomed. The greatest generation from America’s last good war was dying off. Would the experiment succeed? Would the journey continue? Would we even make it to the 50th anniversary of our birth? Congress and President James Monroe invited American Revolution war hero the Marquis de Lafayette here in 1824. He ended up touring the entire country. Everywhere he went, muskets were fired, music was played, and stories were told. His visit was bigger than a Taylor Swift tour. He whizzed through us on the Boston Post Road on his way to Boston. He wasn’t even here a day. He stopped at the stagecoach stops on route before reaching the Byram River and being handed over to the people from Greenwich."

Two centuries later, The American Friends of Lafayette are celebrating that visit to Westchester. Feinman says that there will be three buses of 150 people traveling along Route 1, including a Lafayette interpreter and Virginie Lafayette, a direct descendant. Several communities along the route will be sponsoring free Lafayette Day activities in recognition of the event.

"Bring your family. Bring your friends. Spread the word," organizers said. "Connect to this bicentennial event in American history."

New Rochelle: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Ruby Dee Library Park. The Huguenot & New Rochelle Historical Association and the Thomas Paine Cottage will be holding a family programming day depicting life in New Rochelle at the time of Lafayette’s visit. Organizers say that it will be similar to a colonial fair, with reenactors, music, a petting zoo and interactive activities for children. The library will also be open to view a children’s art exhibit with Lafayette’s visit as the theme, along with an exhibit of The American Friends of Lafayette panels. Storyteller Jonathan Kruk will also perform. The park is approximately one block from the actual stagecoach stop used by Lafayette.

SEE ALSO: New Rochelle Commemorates Bicentennial Of Lafayette Visit

Village of Mamaroneck: 1 p.m.-4 p.m. The Old School House, Harbor Island Park. While the exact location where Lafayette stopped on Boston Post Road in Mamaroneck is unknown, organizers will be using the Old School House by the harbor for the program. The Mamaroneck Historical Society, the Lions Club, and the DAR will have a program with various re-enactors, story teller Jonathon Kruk, musicians and crafts people of the era. Organizers say the highlight will be the 2:30 p.m. welcoming of Lafayette descendants, a Lafayette actor and members of the American Friends of Lafayette. They will be met by community leaders, with proclamations and talks about Mamaroneck during the era, concluding with the American Legion Post 90 firing a 19-gun salute. Other participants include the Boy & Girl Scouts, The Daughters & Sons of the American Revolution, The French American School, LMC Media, and the Larchmont Mamaroneck Lions.

Rye: 2:30 p.m.- 5:45 p.m. The Rye Historical Society. The Rye Historical Society, in partnership with the Rye Free Reading Room and The American Friends of Lafayette, will present a patriotic celebration commemorating Lafayette’s return tour to America. The event will commemorate his visit to Penfield's Square House Inn and Tavern, now part of the Rye Historical Society, where he dined with his son George Washington Lafayette during his 1824 tour. Organizers say the day will be filled with revelry, including a reenactment skit led by Doug Carey of Tomorrow Leaders, which will bring Lafayette’s visit to life for all attendees.

Port Chester: 6 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Byram River. A ceremony will take place at William James Memorial Gateway Park, where Lafayette left Westchester for Greenwich. New York will be represented by Village of Port Chester Deputy Mayor Phil Dorazio and Town of Rye Supervisor Gary Zuckerman. Greenwich will be represented by First Selectman Fred Camillo. Organizers say there will be a short procession from the Park to the Gateway to the Greenwich sign, with the handoff concluding Lafayette’s brief visit to the county. The American Friends of Lafayette will then have dinner from the Barley Beach House and enjoy sunset overlooking the Long Island Sound after a long day of traveling.

Town of Rye: 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m. Town of Rye Park. During dinner, there will be cannon fire from the Living History Guild and performances by the X Factor Drumline.

For more information about Lafayette Day, check out LMC Media's video featuring Dr. Feinman, here: