French Ambassador Helps Rededicate Marquis de Lafayette Bedchamber

MOUNT VERNON, VA — On Bastille Day, George Washington's Mount Vernon had a timely unveiling of the bedchamber where the Marquis de Lafayette stayed. The ceremony featured remarks by Philippe Etienne, the Ambassador of France to the U.S., along with Mount Vernon CEO Doug Bradburn and Marquis de Lafayette reenactor Benjamin Goldman.

The Marquis de Lafayette, A French general who helped the Americans during the American Renovation and played a key role in the French Revolution, was also a friend of George Washington and had an extended visit to his estate in 1784. In 1824, he returned to Mount Vernon to visit Washington's grave.

Mount Vernon undertook a multi-year effort to restore the Lafayette Room, which has been known as the Blue Room and other names over the years. The project involved extensive research using documentary evidence, paint analysis and other evidence to recover the room's history. In 1779, Washington commissioned a portrait of Lafayette, which now hangs in Mount Vernon's museum. A copy of the portrait is in the Lafayette room, along with wallpaper and furnishings to appear as they did in the 18th century.

"The room looks as it did in 1799 the last year of the Washington George Washington's life as the rest of the house does as well," said Bradburn.

Etienne thanked the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association and donors who made the restoration possible.

"This room will remain a shining testament to everything that we owe this champion of freedom," said Etienne. "We could not have chosen a better day to pay tribute to the Marquis and to his friendship with the American People. Bastille Day is indeed a day when France celebrates the unity of the French people and their emancipation from all forms of despotism."

Mount Vernon is also home to the key to the Bastille, which the Marquis de Lafayette sent to Washington. Since being located at Mount Vernon, the key to the Bastille has been visited by notable French figures, including France's President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Etienne and Bradburn both spoke in support of Ukraine's fight for independence against Russia, noting the parallels with the 18th century revolutions involving the Marquis de Lafayette.

The Lafayette Room restoration was supported by donors, including Karen M. and Jefferson W. Kirby, The Florence Gould Foundation, The Felicia Fund, the Estate of Paul and Sally Houdayer, Mr. and Mrs. S. Dillard Kirby, the George L. Shields Foundation, The Brown Foundation, an anonymous donor and more.

The newly restored room is available to view at the Mount Vernon mansion. George Washington's Mount Vernon is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the summer season. For more information, visit www.mountvernon.org.