SEPTEMBER 27, 1824
Invited by his friend, President James Monroe, to return to America to tour the states, Lafayette did so to great fanfare.
On September 27, 1824, Lafayette arrived in Holmesburg, (ten miles away from Independence Hall, where he scheduled to arrive the next day) where he was feted for the evening.
SEPTEMBER 27, 2024
And that is precisely why my husband and I arrived in Philadelphia, room reserved across the street from Independence Hall at Hotel Monaco in the Lafayette Building.
When I first visited here in 2011, I learned that Independence Hall got its name because of Lafayette, because of this etching in the cement!
And then there were fireworks (which can be viewed in my video at youtube) shooting over the river behind the Lafayette Building. I’m not sure who they were for, but can’t we definitely count it for Lafayette?
While we listen to the boom of fireworks and saw the glowing red colors from their flares beyond the buildings made me think of the American Revolution.
Continuing our tour of the area, we walked down to the Custom House (aka the Second Bank of the United States) and Carpenter Hall, just down the street.
While at the Second Bank, we saw Lafayette with his French feathered tricorn walking from our side of the street to Hotel Monaco, with Chuck Schwam, president of American Friends of Lafayette.
He must have come from one of his fetes for another in the hotel.
SEPTEMBER 28, 1824
Escorted by 6000 of the Pennsylvania militia, Lafayette arrived to a 100-gun salute while he rode in a carriage pulled by six white horses.
SEPTEMBER 28, 2024
Portrayed by Mark Schneider of Colonial Williamsburg, Lafayette arrived at Independence Hall in a carriage with a French dignitary, whom he led to the podium…
…as he greeted everyone he passed.
Chuck Schwam, president of the American Friends of Lafayette, spoke…
The French dignitary spoke next…
Along with the American national anthem, the French national anthem was along sung, which was quite powerful!
Then Lafayette spoke to the crowd, recalling his past visits to Philadelphia during the American Revolution, near a statue of George Washington, his adopted father.
Although it was drizzly the entire time, crowds gathered and remained to hear Lafayette’s words.
Unfortunately, the rain meant the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps had to cancel their march in the parade, since water can ruin their reproduction drums.
2024 GUEST PARTICIPATION
After a great program, we visited some booths set up along the mall in celebration of Lafayette’s return.
At this booth, arranged by the American Philosophical Society of which Benjamin was a member, they had a historic reenactment for the guests.
We printed our own copy of Ode to Lafayette, written in 1824.
1824 GUEST PARTICIPATION
Ode to Lafayette was written in 1824 by James Barker after he was commissioned by the Printers of Philadelphia, in preparation to celebrate Lafayette’s impending arrival to Philadelphia.
During the 1824 parade honoring Lafayette, one of the participants was a wagon that carried a printing press, which the Printers of Philadelphia used to keep cranking out copies of Ode to Lafayette to distribute to the crowd!
LEARNING ABOUT LAFAYETTE
Another of the booths had gorgeous posters telling the history of Lafayette, provided by the American Friends of Lafayette.
I also collected material from Daughters of the American Revolution and others.
After a very late lunch at the Red Owl Tavern on the second floor, I walked down stairs where I saw Lafayette and Chuck Schwam, again.
We had a lovely little chat, which means I can now say I spoke to Lafayette inside the Lafayette building!
