Salem To Dedicate New Lafayette Marker To Honor French General's Historic Return

SALEM, MA — Salem will host a public dedication ceremony for a new commemorative marker honoring Revolutionary War General Lafayette's stop in the city during his 1824 return visit to America.

The free event is scheduled for Tuesday at 1 p.m. at the lower end of Lafayette Park, near the corner of Washington and Lafayette streets in the Point neighborhood.

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The marker is being installed as part of the Lafayette Trail project, which is placing commemorative markers along Lafayette's route during his visit.

The ceremony will also take place as part of the Lafayette250 initiative, which honors Lafayette's contributions to American freedom as the United States marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

Lafayette was a member of George Washington's Continental Army at Valley Forge and led the French forces that joined the Colonials during the decisive battles of the war, including the Battle of Yorktown.

On Aug. 31, 2024, Gen. Lafayette left Boston and traveled by way of Chelsea, Lynn and Marblehead, reaching Salem around noon.

His arrival was announced by an artillery salute once it was known that he had crossed city lines.

Lafayette was greeted by Colonel Putnam, identified as chairman of the Selectmen of Salem, and escorted through the center of town along several streets where arches had been erected for the occasion.

He was welcomed at the Essex Coffee House, which had been renamed Lafayette Coffee House for the visit, and then escorted to Hamilton Hall, where he dined. Around 5 p.m., he left Salem and continued north through Ipswich and Newbury Old Town to Newburyport.

The ceremony will include remarks from stakeholders involved in preparing the marker, the formal unveiling of the new sign and photo opportunities for attendees.

The marker was donated to the city by The Lafayette Trail, Inc., with funding from the William G. Pomeroy Foundation.