Friends of Fondation de France had the pleasure of joining Rick Peck on last week’s episode of his podcast, Money to Give, which explores the people, ideas, and practices shaping philanthropy today. The episode, “Saving the Freedom Frigate”, highlights a project at the heart of French-American friendship: the frigate Hermione.
Alongside our Executive Director, Domitille Marchal-Lemoine, Marc Onetto, Board Member of the Hermione–La Fayette Association and a passionate advocate for the Hermione‘s history, discussed the fascinating story of how the ship announced French support for the American Revolution under the command of Marquis de Lafayette. She would go on to play a major role in decisive battles, securing the path to victory and American independence.
Today, the Hermione lives on not only in memory but also in the flesh. A magnificent, painstaking replica of this ship, standing at a towering 155 feet tall and weighing 1,200 tons, was created in France in 2014 and sailed back to the United States in 2015. Constructed using expert traditional French craftsmanship, the Hermione shares its DNA with another beloved French monument–it is built from the same wood in the exact same forest as the roof of the newly reconstructed Notre Dame ceiling.
As Rick points out, while many are familiar with France’s support for the American Revolution—immortalized by names like Rochambeau and Lafayette—the story of the ship that heralded this invaluable aid is far less known. Yet its significance to both the American and French people endures, serving as a powerful symbol of the shared ideals that shaped the birth of the United States and forged 250 years of French-American friendship.
Now, this unparalleled piece of revolutionary history is at risk of being lost for good. A fast-growing fungus has infested the wood, forcing the ship into dry dock for repairs in 2021. However, this solution isn’t sustainable, and time is running out. As the wood ship remains in dry dock, it begins to dry out and its essential structure degrades. Like a fish out of water, the Hermione needs to sail to live. Repairs must be finished within the next 12 months to return her to the sea.
The Hermione was built after a successful campaign that brought together many stakeholders, amongst which were generous private donors—a true philanthropic collaboration between French and U.S. supporters. Today, the frigate needs urgent support again as repairs cost $10 million, of which $5 million has already been raised, securing vital replacement work on the stern.
As we celebrate the upcoming 250-year anniversary of U.S. independence, we invite you to help us reach our fundraising goal and preserve this piece of living history.
Supporting the Hermione is possible by giving through Friends of Fondation de France, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit enabling U.S. donors to make tax-deductible donations to French causes. Gifts can be made in many different ways – learn more about ways to give here.
Listen to the whole episode and uncover stories and secrets of the Hermione, Lafayette, and the amazing work the ship continues to do with underserved youth on the Money to Give podcast. Thank you, Rick, for helping spread the word about this truly remarkable cause.
To learn about giving to the Hermione, please visit their page on our website, or reach out to our team for more information.
