Lafayette

A Hero’s Return

Marquis de Lafayette, a young, wealthy French aristocrat, volunteered for and later led the Continental Army to victory with General George Washington during the American Revolutionary War. Before his death in 1834, Lafayette returned to the United States in 1824 as the last living general from the War. His visit not only helped President James Monroe celebrate the nation’s 50th anniversary, but also reignite its patriotism. He was welcomed with great fondness and fanfare by Americans in each of the then 24 states he visited over 13 months, especially in New York.

Fraunces Tavern® Museum joins the American Friends of Lafayette in celebrating the Bicentennial of Marquis de Lafayette’s return to the United States together with other peer institutions, organizations and historic sites. This exhibition showcases objects illustrating both his heroic war-time service and his tour of America.

Image courtesy of Beck’s Antiques & Books: Lafayette, The Nation’s Guest, Blue Staffordshire Pitcher, England, c. 1824-25, by Ralph and James Clews, Collection of Fraunces Tavern Museum

Sustaining Sponsors

Kenneth H. Chase

Peter C. Hein and Anne Farley

Special thanks to Mary Washington Colonial Chapter, NSDAR, with support from a NSDAR America 250! Celebration Grant, for sponsoring the textile mounting of the officer’s sash from the collection of Fraunces Tavern Museum featured in the exhibition. The sash is said to have been tied around Lafayette's wounded calf in the Battle of Brandywine.

EXHIBITION PREVIEW EVENT 6/24: See our lecture archive for a recording of the lecture by Général de Brigade Vincent de Kytspotter, PhD, Head of the French Defense Mission to the United Nations.

CELEBRATE THE BICENTENNIAL OF LAFAYETTE’S RETURN TO THE UNITED STATES: Check out all of the programs and events hosted by The American Friends of Lafayette in 2024 and 2025 HERE.

SPONSORHIP OPPORTUNITIES

The Museum is offering recognition opportunities for those who financially underwrite the infrastructure, production, and maintenance costs of this exhibition, at the following sponsorship tiers (payable in two installments, if desired):

$1,000 for Sponsors

$5,000 for Sustaining Sponsors

$10,000 for Lead Sponsors

To discuss sponsorship opportunities and/or to arrange a site visit, or if you have further questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to Scott Dwyer, Executive Director, at (212) 425-1779 or sdwyer@frauncestavernmuseum.org.