Wreath Laying Ceremony - General Lafayette's 200th Anniversary Return

About this event

Join us as we commemorate General Lafayette's visit to Whitehall 200 Years Ago! 

In 1824-1825, the marquis de Lafayette embarked on a tour of the United States, returning for a final time to the country he helped establish and whose democratic experiment he saw as a model for the rest of the world. Throughout his thirteen-month tour, visited 24 states: New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, and the District of Columbia, according to historical records. He visited major cities like New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C., as well as smaller towns and landmarks like Monticello, Mount Vernon, and Yorktown.

General Lafayette visited Whitehall, NY, on June 30, 1825, during his Farewell Tour of the United States, according to the Vermont Historical Society. He arrived by steamboat on Lake Champlain and was greeted with a grand welcome, including a footbridge covered with flowers, according to the William G. Pomeroy Foundation.

According to his route, on June 30th, he passed through Sandy Hill (Hudson Falls and Fort Edward on his way to Schuylerville to visit the home of General Philip Schuyler.

Call to order:  Bagpiper Josh Bromley

Presenting of colors: SAR Honor Guard will present colors at the Pomeroy Markers

Welcome: Former Mayor of Whitehall Francis Putorti

Pledge of Allegiance: Pat Niles, President Co- chair Washington County 250th Committee and President of Washington County Historical Society 

Importance of history to the North Country: Assemblyman Matthew Simpson

History of Whitehall: Executive Director of the Skenesborough Museum

Explanation of the Lafayette’s visit: Thomas Ruffing, Washington County Historian

Firing a salute to Lafayette: SAR Honor Guard

March across bridge wreath laying:  Led by Josh Bromley

Laying of the Wreath: Former Whitehall Mayor Putorti and Assemblyman Simpson

Final Salute: Bagpiper Mr. Josh Bromley