There was was a standing room only crowd at the Greenwich Historical Society to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Marquis de Lafayette’s joyous return to Greenwich and his victory lap throughout the country he helped create as a young man in George Washington’s Continental Army.
His arrival in Greenwich was his first stop in Connecticut, following New York, where he then went on to all 24 states that were part of the U.S. at the time.
The celebration was hosted in collaboration with the Alliance Française, The Horseneck Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and support from the Town of Greenwich.
Special guests and VIPs in attendance reflected on Lafayette’s epic contributions to the war for independence and his less known support for social causes. They included Lafayette re-enactor Michael Halbert, Virginie de Pusy Lafayette, a seventh-generation descendant of the Marquis de Lafayette, and Chuck Schwam, executive director of the American Friends of Lafayette. Greenwich First Selectman Fred Camillo presented a Proclamation honoring Lafayette.
Virginie de Pusy Lafayette, 7th generation descendant of the Marquis de Lafayette and daughters. Photo: Fairfield County Look
An exhibit detailing highlights of Lafayette’s Revolutionary Way contributions was on display along with historical documents and other archival material related to Lafayette’s tour through Greenwich. Guests enjoyed French pastries and treats compliments of Meli-Melo. The event was preceded by a French flag-raising ceremony at Greenwich Town Hall.
“We are extremely grateful to the Town of Greenwich and to our partners at the Alliance Française and the Horseneck Chapter of the DAR, and our special guests and VIPs who traveled long distances to be with us today for this historic day,” said Historical Society Executive Director and CEO Debra Mecky in a release.
“It is a fitting kick-off to a series of celebrations that will be hosted over the next two years to honor the 250th anniversary of our nation’s independence, which Lafayette had an outsized role in establishing,” Mecky added.
Lafayette re-enactor Michael Halbert greats guests. Photo: Fairfield County Look