The spirit of 1825 returned to Morristown on Sunday, as Morris County and local officials joined residents, special guests and history enthusiasts in a series of events to honor the bicentennial of Gen. Marquis de Lafayette’s Farewell Tour in the United States.
Lafayette, a French hero of the American Revolution, was celebrated as a “Guest of the Nation” when he returned to the U.S. for a tour of 24 states from 1824 into 1825. Sunday’s events in Morristown were part of a nationwide commemoration retracing Lafayette’s return visit, which included a stop in Morristown 200 years ago on July 14, 1825.
View More Photos from Lafayette’s Return Tour in Morristown
Sunday’s celebration events were hosted by the American Friends of Lafayette in partnership with local organizations. The events began on the Morristown Green, where crowds assembled for a parade, military reenactments, patriotic music and tributes honoring Lafayette’s legacy and enduring impact on American independence.
Morris County Commissioners, including Deputy Director Stephen Shaw and Commissioners John Krickus and Christine Myers, presented an official resolution of honor to local event coordinators Wendy York, Ryan Dawson and Carol Barkin, as well as Chuck Schwam, executive director of the American Friends of Lafayette and Michael Halbert, who portrayed General Lafayette.
There also was a salute to veterans, honoring the service of U.S. military personnel, past and present, and The Baroque Orchestra of New Jersey gave the world premiere of “The Lafayette Suite,” a new musical composition written to commemorate the French general’s contributions to American independence.
The tribute to Lafayette coincides with 250th anniversary celebrations in the United States of the July 4, 1776 signing of the Declaration of Independence and events that led up to the American Revolution. Morris County has already hosted a number of events honoring America’s Semiquincentennial.
Lafayette’s farewell tour 200 years ago was not his first visit to Morristown. He had made an important stop in town during the American Revolution in 1780 to inform Gen. George Washington, who was headquartered in Morris County, that France was supporting the Americans’ revolt against Britain.
Sunday’s celebration of Lafayette concluded with “Fête Lafayette,” a reenactment ball held at the historic Sansay House in Morristown, where Lafayette was honored during his 1825 visit. Guests danced in Regency-era costumes and summer cocktail attire, capping a day steeped in history, gratitude and celebration.