Bicentennial of Lafayette’s Farewell Tour Visits Bordentown, New Jersey
September 26, 2024 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
The Bordentown Historical Society, the City of Bordentown, and the American Friends of Lafayette welcome Lafayette back to Bordentown, Thursday, September 26th, from 4pm to 6pm in the Gazebo outside the City of Bordentown’s Administration building, at Point Breeze – 101 Park St.
We will be celebrating Lafayette and showing off a beautiful marker that commemorates General Lafayette’s visit to Point Breeze on September 26, 1824 exactly 200 years ago to the day! The marker was donated to the BHS by the Lafayette Trail, Inc., and will be formally dedicated at a later date.
We are fortunate to have with us for the ceremony:
Paul Larson, Chair, New Jersey Lafayette Bicentennial Committee, American Friends of Lafayette
Author and historian, John Becica
Michael Halbert, celebrated Lafayette re-enactor, who will be dressed as the General was in 1824
Paul will give us some welcoming remarks about the American Friends of Lafayette and the Bicentennial of Lafayette’s Farewell Tour, John will speak about Who was Lafayette, and Why is He Important to Americans, a brief mention of The Lafayette Trail, and his book, Trail Tales, and Lafayette (portrayed by Michael) will talk about his experiences on the Farewell Tour, specifically his visit with Joseph Bonaparte.
The honor and celebration of General Lafayette (also known to many Americans as the Marquis de Lafayette) from the BHS and City of Bordentown is long overdue. Lafayette’s contributions to the independence of our Country was unique, especially given his status in French society at that time. If you want to honor and learn more about this incredible man, please join us.
After the ceremony at Pointe Breeze, we invite you to join Lafayette and enjoy the exhibit on Joseph Bonaparte at the BHS’ Friends Meeting House located at 302 Farnsworth Ave. in Bordentown.
The exhibit opened May 1, 2022, and since then been viewed by over 1100 visitors! Joseph Napoleon‘s older brother, was one of Bordentown‘s most famous residents. His estate is called Point Breeze and grew to 1800 acres. On display are large Empire, style sofas and side boards, impressive paintings, china, books, silverware, a lock of Joseph’s hair, and more!
