Friday, September 27, 2024
Christ Church, 20 N. American Street, Philadelphia, PA11:00 am
Historical Presentation, Concert and Lunch
Kick off the weekend with Christ Church Preservation Trust and the American Friends of Lafayette who will commemorate Lafayette’s 1824 visit to Philadelphia through a historical and musical program in the Christ Church sanctuary. A short program about Lafayette and the history of Christ Church will be followed by an organ and carillon concert with music inspired by Lafayette. Lunch in the Christ Church north garden will follow the program.
Visitors to Christ Church will get a closeup look at “The First Bell” commissioned in 1702 from a foundry in London which also later produced the Liberty Bell. This bell, and its counterparts, rang out in concert with the Liberty Bell to herald the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and was later hidden during the British occupation of Philadelphia.
Christ Church was founded in 1695. It hosted members of the Continental Congress during the American Revolution and Presidents George Washington and John Adams. Among early members were Benjamin and Deborah Franklin, Betsy Ross, John Penn (William Penn’s grandson), and signers of the Constitution and of the Declaration of Independence, including Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, and Francis Hopkinson.
Price: $35 includes lunch, lecture and concert. Register at Lafayette200.org
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The Rosenbach, 2008-2010 Delancey Street, Philadelphia, PA
Behind the Bookcase Tour
Ally of Liberty – During the bicentennial of the Marquis de Lafayette’s triumphal tour of the United States, visit the Rosenbach to view (and even touch!) remarkable manuscripts documenting the French aristocrat’s central part in the American Revolution. This tour will examine Lafayette’s early life, his Enlightenment and Revolutionary ideals, his service during the American Revolution and attitudes toward enslavement and abolition, as well as what his life and legacy reveals about the Franco-American alliance and the long legacies of the Age of Revolutions. The heart of the tour will be a study of letters exchanged among Lafayette, Washington, and other members of the Founding generation between 1778 and 1846.
There are two timeslots: 1:30pm to 2:45pm AND 3:00pm to 4:15pm.
Price $15 pp Register at Lafayette200.org
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Independence Visitor Center, 599 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
Lafayette Walking Tour With the Association of Philadelphia Tour Guides
Sites: Carpenters’ Hall, City Tavern, the Powel House (inside shortened tour), Old St. Joseph's Church and ending at Independence Hall.
There are four timeslots: 11:00am, 12:00pm, 1:00pm and 2:00pm
Price: $25 pp Register at Lafayette200.org
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Independence Hall, 520 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
5:00 pm
Behind-the-Scenes Tour of Independence Hall after hours
Take advantage of this rare opportunity to see areas of the Pennsylvania State House – renamed Independence Hall by Lafayette - never seen by the public! The one-hour tour will be led by a National Park Service Ranger very well versed in Lafayette’s connection with events that transpired in Independence Hall and will cover the years of the Continental Congress, the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitutional Convention and the signing of the US Constitution, and many other fascinating aspects of Independence Hall's history, both pre and post American Revolution. Will begin promptly at 5 pm and require a security screening.
Security note on Independence Hall Tour: You will need to pass through the red Security tent before meeting with fellow AFL members behind Independence Hall. Arriving up to 45 minutes ahead of time is suggested in case of long security lines. Visitors must pass through a security screening area to visit the buildings on Independence Square, including Independence Hall. The screening area is located adjacent to Old City Hall, near the corner of 5th and Chestnut Streets. To maximize your visit to the park, and minimize your security screening time, the park recommends that you bring only small bags, if necessary. The fewer items you have to be checked, the more time you will have to enjoy the buildings on Independence Square. No weapons, pepper spray, or pocketknives are permitted through security.
Free of Charge but requires registration. Register at Lafayette200.org
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Glory Beer Bar & Kitchen, 126 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA
6:30 pm
Un Repas Festive
A casual night of Lafayette inspired fun, featuring a variety of hors d’oeuvre stations including dips and spreads, charcuterie, baked brie, assorted skewers, French Bistro Salad, Ham Baguette Board, and desserts! We’ll have trivia games, photo ops and door prizes, wear your AFL gear or Lafayette attire!
Price: $55 pp including tax and gratuity (limited to 75 people with cash bar) Register at Lafayette200.org
