Marquis de Lafayette Exhibit at N.Y. Historical Society
The New York Historical Society is currently featuring an exhibit on the Marquis de Lafayette, from November 16, 2007 to August 10, 2008, in celebration of his 250th birthday. The exhibit is titled “French Founding Father: Lafayette’s Return to Washington’s America,” and it explores Lafayette’s role in the American Revolution, both as a soldier and a diplomat. The exhibit also highlights the close relationship between Lafayette and George Washington.
The exhibit is curated by Richard Rabinowitz of American History Workshop and includes various objects, documents and images from the Mount Vernon Estate, the N.Y. Historical Society and other institutions, and it will include multi-media, interactive elements. Each Saturday, Revolutionary War re-enactors will bring the stories of Lafayette’s bravery to life.
The New York Historical Society is located at 170 Central Park West at 77th Street. For more information, call (212) 873-3400, or visit website at nyhistory.org.
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170 Central Park West, New York, NY 10024 • 212-873-3400 • www.nyhistory.org
The name Lafayette is all around us. But whether you live in Fayetteville, Arkansas, shop on trendy Lafayette Street in Manhattan, attend Lafayette High School in Williamsburg, Virginia, or have stayed at San Diego’s Lafayette Hotel, the chances are you don’t know much about the “forgotten” Founding Father for whom these locations are named.
In November, on the occasion of his 250th birthday, the New-York Historical Society will shine a spotlight on Gilbert du Motier Lafayette – Revolutionary War hero, “adopted son” of George Washington and one-time French exile. A new exhibition will explain why his triumphant return four decades after the end of the Revolutionary War taught a young nation how to be Americans.
French Founding Father: Lafayette’s Return to Washington’s America, opening on November 16, 2007 and running through August 10, 2008, explores the Marquis de Lafayette’s role in the Revolution, both on the battlefield and in the area of diplomacy. It chronicles the close bond forged between the heroic Frenchman and Washington, the man whom he would come to view as a second father. And it focuses extensively on Lafayette’s 1824 tour of the United States, a uniquely galvanizing event in the early history of our nation.
Lafayette returned to America at a time when the country faced growing fractionalization and was struggling to establish a national identity. In Lafayette, Americans soon discovered a living link to Washington and the glorious victories of the founding era. The “nation’s guest” was celebrated in towns and cities across America for his heroism during the war and as a symbol of freedom. His presence created a groundswell of exuberant nationalism, reminding everyone about the shared democratic ideals that inspired the revolution and the country’s achievements since the end of the war.
The exhibition – which is curated by Richard Rabinowitz of American History Workshop and includes objects, documents and images from the Mount Vernon Estate, the Historical Society and other institutions -- will feature multi-media, interactive elements that will allow visitors to experience Young America’s fervor over Lafayette. These include a re-creation of the hero’s welcome given to Lafayette upon his arrival at New York’s Castle Clinton by a citizenry jubilantly awaiting their hero. Special video kiosks will demonstrate the practice of the lost art of the toast, and invite visitors to create their own toasts to Lafayette (the Marquis was toasted wherever he went during his tour). A video created in partnership with the History Channel will chronicle Lafayette’s life, and his role in supporting both the American and French Revolutions. Wall-length maps will show the route of his14-month tour through all 24 states. And each Saturday, Revolutionary War re-enactors will bring stories of Lafayette’s bravery and exploits to life.
Thanks, in advance, for your consideration.