Commemorating the Link between Lafayette and the Hermione
In 1780, the Hermione carried Lafayette, ready to join American forces, across the Atlantic from Rochefort, France. His task was to inform General George Washington of France’s support for American insurgents. After transporting Lafayette, the Hermione became a crucial instrument in the war, enduring battles, surveillance missions, and more. Unfortunately, the ship met its destruction in 1793 when it sank near Le Croisic, France.
In 1984, Michel Vasquez, a diver, discovered the wreck. In the 1990s, the Association of Hermione-Lafayette developed and the idea of replicating the Hermione surfaced. After years of reconstruction in Rochefort, the Hermione was ready to set sail! In the spring of 2015, the Hermione replicated its historic voyage of 1780. On July 1, 2015, the Hermione docked at South Street Seaport’s Pier 15, where a welcoming ceremony took place. During which, the Lower Manhattan Historical Association gave one of their only prized historical artifacts, the Evacuation Day flag, raised at Bowling Green Park on November 25, 1783, to mark the end of the British occupation of New York City and the War for Independence. This stood as a symbol of interest in the Hermione its sailing to the United States. Since then, the association has grown considerably and now leads the city’s major 4th of July parade through Lower Manhattan. Thus, the Hermione acted as a catalyst for the association.
Since the Hermione’s trip in 2015, some structural damage has been discovered. Back in October, we published an article with updates as to the state of the renovations. Hopefully, it will be able to set sail again in 2025! If you are interested in supporting Association Hermione-Lafayette in reaching this goal, you can donate here. If you are especially interested in learning more about the history and current state of the Hermione, a discussion will be held on the Wavership ship on South Street Seaport on August 17th.
Significance of the Bicentennial Tour
In 1824, the year of the Declaration of Independence’s 50th anniversary, President James Monroe invited Lafayette to visit the U.S. for a short tour of popular cities. (Monroe and Lafayette’s friendship developed while serving under General George Washington during the American Revolutionary War.) As the last surviving general, Monroe hoped that Lafayette would be received well. His goal was to restore a sense of patriotism in the divided country. In France, Lafayette was facing troubles due to his democratic beliefs. In the U.S., he would be able to freely promote these values, all while reinspiring the American people. For 13 months, different cities in the U.S. received Lafayette. The American people outpoured sentiments for Lafayette and celebrated his visit. The tour was a huge success.
Lafayette Visits NYC, Westchester County, and New England
The bicentennial tour will kick off August 14th in Sandy Hook, New Jersey, followed by Hartford, Connecticut on August 15th. That same day, a kickoff dinner will be held in NYC. The following days will include historical walking tours, plays, boat excursions, special guests, lectures, music, Q&A’s, book signings, and more.
After NYC, the tour will move into Westchester County, New York, where there will be reenactments, private tours, speakers, discussions, and activities for children. During Lafayette’s 1824 visit, he visited some of the same towns and cities within Westchester, such as La Rochelle. That’s it for New York! The tour will continue to Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. You can find more information about the daily itineraries here.
Celebrating French-American Friendship
Remembering Lafayette is a way to keep his spirit and values alive. He stood not only for human rights, but liberty, equality, and freedom. He has become a symbol of democracy and of French-American friendship. The Hermione, on which he sailed, played a pivotal role in our acquisition of independence. Its reconstruction and restoration reaffirms the long lasting connection between France and the United States. As we, at Friends of Fondation de France, continue to facilitate donations from the U.S. to France, we share this story in an effort to commemorate the historical events that created the tie between these two countries.
https://lafayette200.org/about/
https://highland.org/teacher-resources/monroe-and-lafayette/
https://fregate-hermione.com/en/lhermione/ship-s-history
