Nation’s focus is on West Chester and Chadds Ford
Lafayette Bicentennial Celebration comes to Brandywine on July 26
February 17, 2025
The nation’s focus is on West Chester and Chadds Ford
July 26 as part of the Lafayette Bicentennial Celebration
Since the gala kickoff in New York City in August, hundreds of thousands of people have participated in the Lafayette Bicentennial Celebration throughout the United States. On Saturday, July 26, 2025, the eyes of the nation will be upon West Chester and Chadds Ford.
The day is our opportunity to remember and salute the Marquis Lafayette, the young Frenchman who defied his king to come to the United States. He greatly assisted the winning of our freedom and independence during the American Revolution. Brandywine holds a special place in our nation’s history, as on September 11, 1777, Lafayette was wounded. Once he spilled his blood in a field on Birmingham Hill, Lafayette was on his way to becoming a revered American hero.
From August 1824 until September 1825, Lafayette was our “Nation’s Guest,” invited by President Monroe and Congress to tour and be honored. Currently, the American Friends of Lafayette is recreating community celebrations on the day Lafayette visited a city, town or village. This grand 13-month celebration involves many dedicated people from across the United States and France. Information can be found at www.lafayette200.org.
The local committee has been hard at work for many months. Plans are being completed for the day-long celebration. The celebration is inclusive and organizations are encouraged to contact Chair Bruce Mowday at mowday@mowday.com to volunteer or participate. For more information, see Facebook page Lafayette Bicentennial Brandywine Committee.
The Lafayette Bicentennial Lafayette Committee was involved in the successful October Lafayette Bicentennial Celebration in Chester. The committee devised and developed a non-fiction book on Lafayette for students. The book, Lafayette: America’s Young Hero, is designed to give information to students and adults on Lafayette. Education is a key goal of the Lafayette Bicentennial Celebration. Individuals and DAR groups have distributed the book to more than 1,300 students in the past year. A presentation was given last year to 100 international students at the French Embassy in Washington, D.C. Each student received a copy.
New in 2025!
A Killer at the Door: The Dramatic Prison Break and Manhunt for Convicted Murderer Danilo Cavalcante
Schiffer Publishing releases Bruce E. Mowday’s new book on the escape of crab-walking murderer Danilo Cavalcante from Chester County Prison. A Killer at the Door details the two-week search for Cavalcante and his capture and the terror experienced by community members. The story was followed internationally. Contact Bruce at mowday@mowday.com for signed copies!