Lafayette’s Farewell Tour Visits Havre de Grace, Harford County, MD
Lafayette did not plan a stop in Havre de Grace on his way to Baltimore on July 29. 1825, but he was persuaded by Havre de Grace citizens to make an impromptu stop. According to the journal of Lafayette’s secretary, they remained there for several hours.
Author Chris Ruli: Talk and book signing event.
Brother Lafayette
Chris’ latest book examines the untold Masonic history of the Marquis de Lafayette. This exciting story chronicles Lafayette’s famous 1824-1825 American tour and the Masonic activities he participated in along the way.
Event Date: Wednesday, November 20, 2024
Event Time: 7:30 PM
Location: Stephenson Lodge, 2115 Shuresville Road Darlington, MD 21034
Click here to register for this free event. Open to the Public!
LaFayette’s Visit to Harford County in 1825
The name Havre de Grace is attributed to General Marquis de Lafayette (1757-1834), who played a large part in the American Revolution. While on his way to meet General George Washington in Philadelphia in 1782, Lafayette admired the lovely view of the broad Susquehanna River as it opened into the Chesapeake Bay. He is said to have exclaimed, “C’est Le Havre!” for it reminded him of the French port city Le Havre (originally called Le Havre de Grâce).
From July 1824 to September 1825, the French Marquis de Lafayette, the last surviving major general of the American Revolutionary War, made a tour of the 24 states in the United States. He was received by the populace with a hero’s welcome at many stops, and many honors and monuments were presented to commemorate and memorialize the visit.
- July 25 – Lafayette leaves Philadelphia on the SS Delaware for Wilmington, Delaware.
- July 26 – Lafayette departs Chester, Pennsylvania, for the Brandywine Battlefield, ending the day in West Chester.
- July 27 – Departs West Chester for Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
- Late July – Departs Lancaster for Baltimore, Maryland, via Port Deposit and Havre de Grace, Maryland. Spends two days in Baltimore.
LEARN MORE:
The Tyler’s Place Podcast: https://sms.scottishrite.org/Lafayette
Scottish Rite Journal Article: Br. Marquis De Lafayette’s Final American Tour, 1824–25