Labor Day Weekend
Event in Central Massachusetts
Lafayette on the Stafford Turnpike
Saturday, September 1
10:00 AM – Tour of Worcester Art Museum’s Outstanding American Collections:
1 – Exquisite collection of Paul Revere Silver
2 – Lafayette objects from the Farewell Tour
Noon - Lunch at the museum
1:00 PM – Tour of the Salisbury Mansion – A fine historic house built in 1772 and furnished circa 1830. Family members wrote letters regarding their sightings of Lafayette during the Farewell Tour. Lafayette stopped in Worcester twice (on his way back to New York from Boston in September 1824 and on his way to Bunker Hill dedication in 1825).
After the tour we will proceed to Stafford Street, a remnant of the Stafford Turnpike which Lafayette followed on his way to Hartford in September 1824. We will pass a marker commemorating his greeting in the Town of Leicester across from Christ Church in the Rochdale neighborhood.
3:00 PM to 6:00 PM - Lafayette (portrayed by Ben Goldman) will be greeted by the people of Charlton at the still extant Rider Tavern. The event is a joint effort of the American Friends and the Charlton Historical Society which preserves the Rider Tavern AFL members will have an opportunity to tour the Tavern
7:00 PM - Dinner at hotel
Sunday September 2
10:00 AM - Tour of nationally renowned Old Sturbridge Village.
12:00 AM - Lunch at the village
2:00 to 4:00 - Reenactment of General Lafayette’s arrival in Worcester County in September 1824 on his return from Boston to New York City.
After a brief introduction by Alan Hoffman in the meeting house Lafayette will arrive and be welcomed by Judge Levi Lincoln Jr, the militia and members of the community.
After the welcoming ceremony Lafayette will answer questions and conduct a meet and greet with the people.
5:00 PM – Banquet at the Publick House in Sturbridge, another actual stop on the Farewell Tour.
for hotel arrangements and more information please contact americanfriendsoflafayette@gmail.com
