At the invitation of President James Monroe Marquis de La Fayette, better known in the United States as General Lafayette and hero of the Revolutionary War, in 1824 embarked on a 13-month tour of 24 states, making numerous stops along the route. A prelude to the nation’s 50th anniversary and perhaps also reminder of the spirit of the revolution, Lafayette’s visits to numerous communities were cause for many celebrations. It was an arduous journey of the era.
Much of the tour continued through 1825, and stops along way the included many in Western and Central New York, including travel on the new Erie Canal.
For antiques collectors there are numerous souvenirs of the 1824-25 trip. Pictorial plates, bowls and pitchers were imported, and ribbons, scarves and gloves with his image are also seen in shops and auctions. Accounts of his visits sometimes are found in local newspapers of the era.
With documented visits to locations in Western New York, I hope to find the time to locate some of the places the “tour” visited in 1825. Lafayette200.org has a map of visit locations and the dates. A number of commemorations have been planned at points where the tour stopped two centuries ago.
The 1824 presidential election was a contentious one and Lafayette was in Washington when it was decided in the House of Representatives. Some historians suggest that his tour served as a reminder of the strength of the young country’s system of government. Whatever the case, his visits to small communities provided a great excuse for a party and antiques collectors have a great excuse to follow the trail and perhaps become acquainted with some antiques of the era.