In my son’s high school Awana club in Warrenton, he has met a fellow clubber who also enjoys history.
After discussing the best colleges for history majors, they discussed their favorite eras.
THE LAFAYETTE STEPPING STONE
When Lafayette was mentioned, she said that he had visited the town many years ago, and there is a stepping stone that he apparently stood on.
What? Lafayette sighting near our home?
Sure enough, down the very steep hill and around the corner from our church we found the Lafayette stepping stone near the Old Jail Museum!
When Lafayette made his Grand Tour of America in 1825, he came to Warrenton and rumor has it, he used this stone to step out of his carriage.
Then he attended a banquet at Norris Tavern.
And now, so have we! Why not?
As we took turns getting pictures of us standing on the stone, the docent came out and invited us in for a free tour.
As Lafayette might say: Why not?
DR JOSEPH WARREN
The town of Warrenton was named for Dr. Warren of Boston, Massachusetts, one of the early leaders of the American Revolution.
He’s featured in the Disney movie Johnny Tremain and in the book by the same name.
He died at the Battle of Bunker Hill.
And at Bunker Hill, Lafayette collected soil to take home to be laid on top of his grave.
RICHARD HENRY LEE
The docent said her husband was related to Richard Henry Lee.
When I told her we knew him, she sort of looked at me. lol
I assured her we had met him at Colonial Williamsburg!
GENERAL WASHINGTON
My favorite in the first building was an advertisement of an 18th century gentleman who tells General Washington: I am your must humble and obedient dentist.
LAFAYETTE’S GRAND TOUR 1825
Walking into the courtyard of the gaol to enter the next building, we climbed steep stairs where we found an exhibit about Lafayette’s visit to Warrenton on August 23, 1825.
There are some errors in the exhibit, regarding his name, that he was born poor, and that this gown was of the style worn by his grandmother.
Oops.
Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roche Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette was born in 1757 at Chateau de Chavaniac, an 18-room castle that was a bit more modest than other castles.
Orphaned at a young age, Lafayette inherited wealth from both sides of his family, then at the age of 16 he married into great wealth.
Lafayette’s money enabled him to purchase a ship to take him to America in 1777 at the age of 19 to fight in the American Revolution.
Serving without pay, Lafayette provided for the men who served under him.
This lovely gown certainly looks 1770s. I loved examining it’s lovely fly-fringe and poufs with wool peaking outside the trim.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT HORSEBACK RIDING CONTEST
When I turned around, I was amazed to find a Teddy Roosevelt exhibit!
Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine Lafayette, fly fringe, and Teddy Roosevelt all in one room!
In the early 1900’s, army officers were required to ride 100 miles in 3 days for a physical fitness test. Bully!
The Secretary of the Navy and President Roosevelt were certain they could do that in one day!
Specifically, the bet was that they would return to the White House by dinner.
They left early in the morning, arrived in Warrenton for lunch, and then left at 12:30 for the White House.
If it wasn’t for the sleet storm, they’d have arrived in time for dinner, but they were a couple of hours late. Bully!
(That is Washington DC to the right on the map and Warrenton on the left.)
COMMENTS FROM MY OLD BLOG
Simple Mama November 3, 2010 at 4:23 PM – LaFayette and Teddy, what a strange combination! lol My dd would LOVE to stand on that stone-she adores LaFayette. We live near a city named Fayetteville, named after him. 🙂 I enjoy reading your history posts! Valerie
Rebecca November 4, 2010 at 11:00 AM – Imagine that, finding the family’s two favorite historical figures in one spot! I think that’s a sign… 😉 I agree with you in that I’d question the statement about Lafayette’s mother wearing a gown like that when he was growing up, too. The sleeves date the gown quite decisively to between 1775-1785 – definitely NOT his “growing up” period! But regardless of that, I like the gown a lot – especially the fly fringe! Nice find! 🙂
Kathi Weiss November 4, 2010 at 5:49 PM – Sounds like you guys had a fascinating experience. I would love to visit that place. Kathi
