Lafayette family Masonic certificates, 1824 September

In 1824, a hero of the American Revolution, the Marquis de Lafayette (1757-1834), also known in America as General Lafayette, accepted Congress and President James Monroe’s invitation to come from his home in France for an extended visit to the United States. When he landed at Castle Garden in New York City on August 16, 1824, throngs of well-wishers greeted Lafayette. As he made his way to City Hall accompanied by a military escort and local dignitaries, cheering admirers—estimated to number 50,000—lined the streets. The party-like atmosphere continued for the next thirteen months as Lafayette visited cities and towns in each of the twenty-four United States. During his tour Lafayette traveled to battlefields, addressed Congress, paid his respects at George Washington’s grave, participated in Masonic ceremonies, and met with friends, among them former comrades in arms and all the living U. S. Presidents. Crowds, church bells, and militias welcomed him at every turn; he was honored by a dazzling number of processions, receptions, and balls. (taken from blog post, "Printed Souvenirs of Lafayette’s Tour of the United States," by Hilary Anderson Stelling. Visit our website to read the entire blog post.)

While on his tour, he visited numerous Masonic lodges. In September 1824, Lafayette and his son, George Washington Lafayette, received the three Masonic certificates in this collection.