(8.23) Fans of Revolutionary War hero the Marquis de Lafayette will get a chance to thank him this Friday when the 13-month Bicentennial of Lafayette’s Farewell Tour comes through Providence (and later in the day, East Providence). In 1824, two-thirds of the population of New York City lined the streets to greet Lafayette when he arrived to start his Guest of the Nation tour, and that’s where the Bicentennial Tour kicked off earlier this week. The Rhode Island Historical Society has partnered with tour organizers, American Friends of Lafayette (AFL), to host one of the living historians portraying Lafayette at the John Brown House Museum. From The New York Times:
During the tour re-creation, four Lafayettes will share the role across hundreds of scheduled events in the 24 states visited by the marquis, who planned to stay five months but stayed for more than a year, traveling 6,000 miles and leaving behind scores of streets, squares, schools and towns named in his honor.
The article profiles Mark Schneider who has played the role of Lafayette at Colonial Williamsburg for the past 25 years. He is also in great demand in Europe where he is considered one of the best Napoleons in the business. It looks like we are getting Monsieur Schneider and he is fabulous. (This image was snagged from his Facebook page.)
RIHS member admission is free, and non-member admission is $10. Registration is required. Guests can register here.
. . . as a way to celebrate the nation’s 50th anniversary, visitors to the John Brown House Museum can meet with Lafayette for pictures and the chance to see a pop-up exhibit with items relating to Lafayette from the Rhode Island Historical Society’s collections. Admission to the John Brown House Museum is included with the purchase.
Meet Lafayette, 11am to 12:30pm, Friday, August 23, John Brown House, 52 Power Street, (directions)
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But wait there’s more. According to the AFL website the day continues at the Masonic Lodge in East Providence at 2pm. (I believe this event had previously listed a Pawtucket location . . . I think.) This is free and open to the public.
Stephen Olney Almy will portray his ancestor, Captain Stephen Olney. Stephen Olney was a captain of a company in the Rhode Island Regiment under the command of General Lafayette. Stephen Olney’s and Alexander Hamilton’s troops served under Lafayette at Yorktown and captured Redoubt #10. When Lafayette arrived in Providence, he immediately recognized Stephen Olney and embraced him, bringing tears to the eyes of everyone in attendance.
Period music will be played by the 25-piece Lafayette Band.
Recommended reading: “Lafayette in the Somewhat United States” by Sarah Vowell. (NPR review) (Smithsonian review)
East Providence?? Why?? Irrelevant to the history of the USA and France.