New Rochelle Commemorates Bicentennial Of Lafayette Visit

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — A Lafayette 200 celebration will take place in New Rochelle Aug. 18 commemorating the city's stop on the famous Grand Tour of the Marquis de Lafayette throughout the United States in 1824-25.

Lafayette, whose portrayal by Daveed Diggs in the musical "Hamilton" made him a pop cultural icon, was just 19 when he traveled to America to join the fight for independence. After the war — he became one of George Washington's most trusted generals — he was famous throughout the former colonies. He supported abolition of slavery; travelled with the early feminist, suffragist, and anti-racism activist, Frances Wright; and maintained a friendship with Thomas Paine in the lead-up to the French Revolution. When he returned to the young United States in 1924 he was feted as the "Nation's Guest."

"Everywhere he was greeted as a hero," Barbara Crane, a volunteer with the HNRHA and the Thomas Paine National Historical Association, told Patch.

The celebration in New Rochelle is part of a series of Westchester events on the same day and a national series of events throughout much of 2024 and 2025, organized through the American Friends of Lafayette, tracing Lafayette’s footstep on the exact dates and in the exact order he followed on his tour of the 24 states between 1824 and 1825. Visit their Events page to discover the Bicentennial activities in 2024 and 2025.

"There's going to be a parade and quite a few events in Manhattan preceding our event," Crane said.

It will be a colorful and entertaining day at Ruby Dee Park, with the main program and ceremonies beginning about 12 noon with the arrival of Lafayette, his descendants, and members of the American Friends of Lafayette. Mayor Yadira Ramos-Herbert and dignitaries will greet the visitors, and the mayor will issue a proclamation.

The Huguenot & New Rochelle Historical Association is event coordinator, in cooperation with the City of New Rochelle as sponsor, the New Rochelle Public Library as co-host, and other community partners.

The event will be held in Ruby Dee Park from 11 am to 3 pm, free of charge, rain or shine. Activities include:

• Reenactors, a 19-gun salute, blacksmith, children’s toys & music, free arts & crafts, a large petting zoo and more
• Performances by the Charles Dickerson Fife and Drum Bugle Corps, storyteller extraordinaire – Jonathan Kruk, Songcatchers & an original operatic number from Tutti Bravi Productions, Inc.
• Lafayette Exhibits in NR Library lobby created by local summer camps. Including traveling historical Lafayette panels created by American Friends of Lafayette.

Inclement weather will have all festivities move inside the New Rochelle Public Library lobby.