News Archives - Bruce E. Mowday

Bayard Taylor Draft Text

December 12, 2024

Intercollegiate Studies Institute

3901 Centerville Rd. Wilmington, DE 19807

Intercollegiate Studies Institute Christmas Open House & Lecture 

Poet, Diplomat, Travel Writer: The Life & Work of Kennett Square’s Bayard Taylor

 Good evening. I thank John Burtka and the staff of Intercollegiate Studies Institute for inviting me to speak this evening on Bayard Taylor. And I especially thank all of you for attending. This is an honor for me.

 This talk is designed to give you some information on Taylor. If this talk was presented in the mid-19^th century in this area, especially nearby Kennett Square, I would not have to give much background on Taylor. Taylor was a celebrity of not only this area but of the world.

 It’s too bad we have allowed Taylor to be lost to the world. His hometown of Kennett Square is now known for mushrooms, the Mushroom Capitol of the United States, home to a two-day mushroom festival and, of course, the New Year’s Eve Mushroom drop, akin to the Times Square, New York, Apple celebration. I’m sure you all will brave the weather at the end of this month to observe the mushroom spectacle.

 What about one of the town’s most famous residents, Bayard Taylor? Well, the town’s library used to be known as the Bayard Taylor Memorial Library. They had a great library card with Taylor’s photo displayed. I joined that library some years ago so I could get a card. I have it, in case anyone wants to see it later. Well, recently Kennett Square modernized that library and changed its name to the Kennett Square Library. Not sexy at all, but the powers to be believed no one would know where the library was located if retained the Bayard Taylor moniker.

 If you detect I wasn’t in agreement with the name change, you would be correct. I didn’t get a vote.

 Taylor might not be a household celebrity but you might have heard of the following persons:

 Horace Greeley

Thoreau

Abraham Lincoln

Mark Twain

Edgar Allen Poe

Commodore Perry

Alfred Lord Tennyson

Ralph Waldo Emerson

John Greenleaf Whitter

Nathaniel Hawthorne

 Bayard Taylor had interactions with them all.

 One of my first experiences with writings by Taylor came when I was researching my book on the battle of Brandywine, titled September 11, 1777.  It was the first in-depth look at the Revolutionary War battle that took place fairly close to where we are tonight. One of Taylor’s first works, he was a teenager, aged 15, was titled “A Visit to the Battle Ground of Brandywine.” He began his essay by saying he “long desired” to see this place, celebrated in the annals of our revolution. He followed with a lively description of the battle. I couldn’t resist publishing Taylor’s essay and my publisher agreed. He wrote the article on April 5, 1840, with a dateline of Unionville. His prose was worthy of a writer twice his age.

 If you do a quick internet search on Bayard Taylor, you will be informed that Taylor was an American poet, literary critic, translator, travel author, and diplomat. As a poet, he was very popular. A crowd of more than 4,000 attended one of his poetry reading, which was a record that stood for 85 years. His travelogues were popular in both the United States and Great Britain.

 An audience of 4,000! John you would have had to have a larger venue if Taylor was here in person.

 Let’s get the basics out of the way: He was born in Kennett Square on January 11, 1825, to Quaker parents Joseph and Rebecca Way Taylor.  Taylor was married twice. His first wife, Mary Agnew, died soon after their marriage. His marriage to Marie Hansen produced a daughter, Lillian Bayard Taylor Kiliani. He died on December 19, 1878, he was just 53 years old, in Berlin, Germany. He is buried in the Longwood Cemetery, just outside the gates of Longwood Gardens.

Bayard Taylor was named in honor of the esteemed Delaware senator James A. Bayard. According to information from the Kennett Square library, Bayard’s mother had taught him to read at age four, and early in his life, he found his real refuge in books, never tiring of reading poetry and books about the countries he longed to visit.

 Taylor’s true love seemed to be poetry. He began corresponding with Rufus Griswold, an editor, who encourage him to publish a collection of his early poems. He did so in 1844, at the age of 19. The accomplishment is impressive for one so young.

 Another accomplishment for the young man was fulfilling his desire to be a globe trotter. He took advantage of an opportunity to travel to Europe with a relative and another man. How did Taylor finance his trip? He entered into agreements with publications, including the Saturday Evening Post, to write articles about his European travels. He landed in Liverpool, England and spent the next two years visiting cities in England, Germany and Italy.

 Taylor was very frugal, he subsisted on about six cents a day, according to letters he wrote home. Anyone think they can travel today on 6 cents a day? Can you get anything for 6 cents today?

His career as an international travel writer was launched!

Upon returning to Kennett Square, Taylor was encouraged to gather his writings into a book and did so – Views A-Foot. The book was so popular, it went through 24 editions in 13 years! Taylor was the James Patterson of his era.

Taylor aimed to marry his childhood sweetheart, Mary Agnew, but he needed money to support her and tried his hand a newspapers and eventually went to New York City where he worked for the New York Tribune and met Horace Greeley. Greeley urged Taylor to help another young writer, Thoreau, who lived in a shanty at Walden Pond.  Greeley purchased a Thoreau manuscript for $75. For his own part, Taylor continued writing and published a book which received praise from Edger Allan Poe. His work for the Tribune continued and he traveled to San Francisco to cover the gold rush. His adventures to another successful book – Eldorado.

When Taylor returned he did marry Mary Agnew but her health was poor. She died two months after the wedding. After Mary’s death and a period of mourning, he decided on another foreign trip. Egypt and the Middle East were among his stops and then he went to the Far East and again wrote for the Tribune. In 1853, he received an appointment as master’s mate in the United States Navy in order to travel to Japan with Commodore Perry on the U.S.S. Mississippi. This trip resulted in the publication of A Visit to India, China and Japan, in the Year 1853.

The Far East trip led to a number of invitations to lecture and he did so. But he was soon off on another adventure, including stops in Sweden and the Artic – where one day the temperature was recorded as minus-47.  This is the trip where he met Alfred Lord Tennyson in England. Another book was published in 1857. He met another important person his life during that trip – his future wife, Marie Hansen. She was a niece of a friend from Germany. They married October 1, 1858. They next year the couple became parents of a daughter, Lillian, and they returned to the United States.

Back at Kennett Square, he built a country estate just north of Kennett Square and called it Cedarcroft. Those attending a dedication ceremony in 1860 were Ralph Waldo Emerson, John Greenleaf Whitter, Horace Greeley and others.

Taylor entered government work and was chargé d’affaires of the Russian legation in St. Petersburg. This was the time of the American Civil War. Taylor’s brother Charles was in the Union Army and was killed on July 2, 1863, during the second day of the Battle of Gettysburg. Upon returning to the United States, President Abraham Lincoln attended one of Taylor’s lectures on Russia and was impressed. Lincoln wrote Taylor a letter and later Bayard published Ballard of Abraham Lincoln.

During the next part of his life he began writing novels to go with his poetry. One was the Story of Kennett. One of his works brought praise from Nathaniel Hawthorne. As Taylor curtailed his traveling and lecturing and concentrated on his writing. His work translating Faust brought him a position with Cornell University. His final novel was published in 1870.

Taylor decided to move his home to New York City and sold Cedarcroft. He did return once to Kennett Square before his final voyage to Germany in 1878. A passenger on the ship he met was Mark Twain. Unfortunately, Taylor became ill during the trip and never fully recovered. He was diagnosed with a liver condition. On December 18, 1878, he died.

           

November 3, 2024

Author Bruce E. Mowday gives Lafayette presentations

to Sons of the American Revolution groups in Colorado, PA and Virginia

Mowday scheduled to speak in Maryland, Pennsylvania and Delaware during 2024

             EAST GOSHEN _ Author Bruce E. Mowday is scheduled to give presentations in five states during the remainder of 2024. His schedule begins with presentations on Lafayette to two members of the Sons of the American Revolution.

Mowday will be in Williamsburg, Virginia, on Saturday, November 9 talking to the local SAR group. A week later on November 16 he will deliver a Zoom talk to the SAR group in Colorado. Also, Mowday will speak before a SAR group in Reading on December 5 at 7:00 p.m.

The American Friends of Lafayette is celebrating the bicentennial of Lafayette’s visit to the United States in 1824 and 1825 as America’s Guest. Mowday, a member of the American Friends of Lafayette, wrote two books on Lafayette, Lafayette at Brandywine: The Making of an American Hero and Lafayette: America’s Young Hero & Guest.

As part of the Lafayette Bicentennial Celebration, Mowday is speaking at St. John’s College, Annapolis, Maryland, on December 14 at 11:00 a.m.

For information on the Lafayette Bicentennial, which began in New York City in August, see www.lafayette200.org. The Lafayette Bicentennial Brandywine Committee is hosting events in Chadds Ford and West Chester on July 26, 2025.

Mowday is speaking before the Wise group on Lafayette on December 5 at 11:30 a.m. at Ludwig’s Corner.

The Military Officers Association of America is hosting Mowday for a history talk on December 7 at the Desmond Hotel in Malvern beginning at 11:30 a.m.

Mowday will be joining Pittsburgh author Mary Walsh for book signings at the Archbishop Wood Holiday Show at 655 York Road, Warminster. On Friday, November 22 the hours are 6:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. On Saturday, November 23, the hours are 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

Mowday will join the Thornbury Farm Christmas Market on Saturday, November 24 from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. to sign books. The event takes place at the farm, 1256 Thornbury Road, West Chester.

On December 2, Mowday will take part Holiday Bazaar at the Hershey’s Mill Community Center, 25 Hershey’s Drive, West Chester, from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. The event benefits the Chester County Hospital.

Mowday will give a special presentation on Kennett Square author Bayard Taylor on December 12 at 7:00 p.m. at the Intercollegiate Studies Institute in Wilmington, Delaware.

Barnes & Noble, 301 Main Street, Exton, is hosting Mowday for two holiday book signings. On December 21 he will be at the store from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. On December 24, he will be signing his books from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

For more information on Mowday’s events, see his website www.mowday.com. To contact Mowday for a personalized signed book or to schedule an event or talk, contact the author at mowday@mowday.com.

October 2, 2024

EDITORS: The following information is for immediate release. If you have any questions, contact Carmela Cohn of Barricade Books at carmelacohen65@gmail.com.

Lafayette at Brandywine: The Making of an America Hero

Barricade Books’ publication featured

during national bicentennial celebration

of return of American hero Lafayette

           NEW YORK _ A grand 13-month celebration is taking place across the United States in connection with the Marquis Lafayette’s return to the United States in 1824 and 1825 as America’s guest.

Barricade Books’ Lafayette at Brandywine: The Making of an America Hero and author Bruce E. Mowday are featured at a number of the events being conducted by the national organization the American Friends of Lafayette. For information on the bicentennial, see www.Lafayette200.org.

To commence the festivities, a three-day celebration took place in New York City in August. A parade on Broadway, a reception at the French Consulate and a book signing at the Park Avenue Armory were highlights. Lafayette at Brandywine was featured at the book signing.

“Lafayette is a national hero,” said Barricade Publisher Jonathan Bernstein. “I’m glad to say the American Friends of Lafayette and citizens across the country are honoring him today. I’m honored that one of our books plays a part in such a deserved celebration.”

          Lafayette at Brandywine: The Making of an America Hero can be obtained through Barricade Books, major book sellers and internet outlets. Signed copies by the author can be purchased by contacting the author at mowday@mowday.com.

The book was unveiled during a Yorktown, Virginia, celebration before a gathering of the American Friends of Lafayette. This year Mowday will return to Yorktown for a signing on October 19, the anniversary of the surrender of the British army to General George Washington. Lafayette played a major role in the victory.  Charles Schwam, Chief Operating Officer of the American Friends of Lafayette and chair of the national Bicentennial Committee, wrote of the Barricade book, “As I have been a ‘Lafayette-ist’ for more than a dozen years now, this book spoke to me in a way no other book has. It is not simply a biography or a description of events, but a detailed explanation of the genesis of Lafayette’s ascent to hero status.”

 

 

September 11, 2024

Brandywine Battlefield Park

Remembrance Remarks

            I thank you for the invitation to speak at this solemn event to honor those who sacrificed their lives here at Brandywine on September 11, 1777, and elsewhere during the American Revolution. This is truly an honor.

As I was thinking about what I was going to say today, another solemn dedication in our nation’s history came to mind. During his Gettysburg Address to commemorate the opening of the national cemetery in November 1863, President Lincoln acknowledged the sacrifices of the American Revolution soldiers and spoke immortal words that perfectly summarize our assignment here today. I can’t improve on his oratory. In part, President Lincoln said:

We are met on a great battle field of that war. We come to dedicate a portion of it, as a final resting place for those who died here, that the nation might live. This we may, in all propriety do.

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate we can not consecrate we can not hallow, this ground The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have hallowed it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here; while it can never forget what they did here.

It is rather for us, the living, we here be dedicated to the great task remaining before us that, from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they here, gave the last full measure of devotion that we here highly resolve these dead shall not have died in vain; that the nation, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

Today, we all have a sacred duty, as outlined by President Lincoln. Our charge here today, and forever in the future, is to remember those sacrifices made at Brandywine, and more importantly, make sure those living today and those yet to be born also remember Brandywine and recognize the significance of those patriots’ bravery and of their sacrifices.

On the ground we now stand, at this hour on September 11, 1777, chaos reigned.  For George Washington and his troops, the battle, a severe loss, was drawing to a conclusion. His headquarters, just a few feet away, was in the possession of the enemy, the British army. General Anthony Wayne’s attempt to keep the British behind the Brandywine had failed. General Sullivan’s attempt to fend off the attack of the British at Birmingham Hill and Sandy Hallow failed. The bravery of the American soldiers and their belief in liberty for all allowed them to slow down the British advance to allow the American army to retreat to Chester. George Washington’s army survived September 11 and lived to win our freedom and independence.

Washington’s report to Congress that evening, noted the field was lost to the enemy. Washington specifically named two Continental officers in that report, one being a young Frenchman who celebrated his 20^th birthday just five days before the battle of Brandywine. He was the Marquis de Lafayette. In his first battle for American freedom, Lafayette was wounded on Birmingham Hill and spilled his blood for his belief in independence and freedom. At the moment he was wounded, he was on his way to being an American hero. A much needed American hero. For Lafayette championed our cause in France and without the assistance of the French Army and Navy we would not have defeated England during the American Revolution.

I’m a member of the American Friends of Lafayette and they greatly assisted me during my research for my book Lafayette at Brandywine: The Making of an American Hero. When I first talked with officials of that organization about my book, they had an interesting reaction. They laughed. They then said the organization always knew the most important aspect of the battle of Brandywine was Lafayette. They asked, what took us here at Brandywine so long to recognize the fact?

We now know and the country, today, is being made aware of the importance of Lafayette and Brandywine as we are in the midst of a grand celebration to mark the bicentennial of Lafayette being the Nation’s Guest for his contributions to America’s independence. For 13 months, Lafayette toured the United States in 1824 and 1825. The American Friends of Lafayette are marking celebrations of the amazing tour.

Our turn, here at Brandywine, Chadds Ford and West Chester, will come on July 26, 2025, the 200^th anniversary of Lafayette’s visit during his tour as America’s Guest. I’m hoping everyone here will join in making that celebration a success! As a final tribute when the tour concluded, Lafayette returned home to France on a new American naval ship, The BRANDYWINE.

Lafayette and all the brave soldiers that fought at Brandywine and the American Revolution need to be remembered and honored today and every day.

I’ll conclude with a comment on what I believe to be President Lincoln’s two most important addresses, his Second inaugural speech and the Gettysburg Address. Both had less words that my remarks, so I must close.

Thank you all for remembering our Patriots.

 

 

 

September 4, 2024

Lafayette Bicentennial talks and signings

by author Bruce E. Mowday includes stops in

New York City, Wilmington, and New Castle

Chester County presentations include West Chester, Westtown and Chadds Ford

           EAST GOSHEN _ Bruce E. Mowday, author of two books on Lafayette and chair of the Lafayette Bicentennial Brandywine Committee, has 19 Lafayette events scheduled before the end of the year.

“I attended the New York City grand Bicentennial inaugural event and it was spectacular, beginning with a parade on Broadway and concluding with a reception at the French Consulate,” Mowday said. “The American Friends of Lafayette is doing an outstanding job in spreading the word about America’s hero, Lafayette, throughout the country. I’m honored to be a small part of the celebration.”

Celebrations are being held for 13 months, beginning in New York City, to coincide with Lafayette’s return to the United States in 1824 and 1825 as America’s guest. On two days events will take place in the Brandywine area. The first is October 5 from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. in Chester. On July 26, 2025, events will take place in Chadds Ford and West Chester.

During the Chester event, Mowday will give a talk on Lafayette at 3:30 p.m. at the historic Chester Courthouse. He’s also scheduled to speak on September 11 at Brandywine Battlefield Park at 6:00 p.m. as part of the park’s Remembrance Day program. Lafayette was wounded at the battle of Brandywine on September 11, 1777. As part of the Bicentennial Celebration, Mowday will give a talk at the New Castle Historical Society at 7:00 p.m. and then will be the Master of Ceremonies at the Robinson House for the Claymont Historical Society, beginning at 11:30 a.m.

“Lafayette did so much for our country,” Mowday. “He deserves to be remembered. Citizens, young and old, should be reminded of the sacrifices he made for freedom and independence here and in other parts of the world.”

Mowday begins September with a talk on Saturday, September 7, on Lafayette at Westtown Township at 10:30 a.m. On September 10, he is guest speaker at the Lafayette Masonic Lodge, Wilmington, at 6:00 p.m.  He is giving a noon talk at the West Chester County Club on September 12 for the West Chester Rotary.

Chadds Ford Days are being held on September 14 and 15 by the Chadds Ford Historical Society and Mowday will be signing his books Lafayette at Brandywine: The Making of an American Hero and Lafayette: America’s Young Hero & Guest, both days.

As part of the Paoli Battlefield Park Preservation Fund event on September 17 at the Black Powder Tavern, Wayne, at 6:00 p.m., Mowday will join Alisa Dupuy, portraying Adrienne Lafayette. Also, Mowday will sign books during Paoli Heritage Days from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. on September 21. He will talk on Lafayette at 1 p.m. on October 11at Freedom’s Village in Coatesville.

Mowday will return to New York City on September 18 for a Lafayette presentation before a Daughters of the American Revolution event at the Explorer’s Club at 6:30 p.m. The Williamsburg, Virginia, Sons of the American Revolution will hear a Lafayette talk by Mowday on November 9 at noon.

During the annual Yorktown celebration, Mowday will sign books at the Gallery at York Hall on October 19. He’s also slated to speak in Annapolis, Maryland, at St. John’s College on December 14.

On December 5, Mowday has two Lafayette talks scheduled, one before the Wise women’s group at 11:30 a.m. and the other before a SAR gathering in Reading at 7:00 p.m. Mowday will also present on Lafayette at Valley Forge at the Delaware Historical Society on December 12.

For information on all of Mowday’s talks and signings and his books, see www.mowday.com. On September 16, at 7:00 p.m. Mowday will be speaking on his Gettysburg books before the Mt. Joy Historical Society.

Mowday, who is a member of the Chester County 250^th committee, has authored more than 20 books on history, true crime, business and sports. To schedule an event or purchase a signed copy of one of his books, send an email to mowday@mowday.com.

 

 

August 26, 2024

First year anniversary of escape of murderer Danilo Cavalcante

coincides with production of author Bruce E. Mowday’s book

A Killer at the Door by Schiffer Publishing

Signed, first edition, first printing copies can be reserved by contacting Mowday

           On Thursday morning, August 31, 2023, a diminutive murderer from Brazil escaped Chester County Prison by crab-walking the walls of the prison.  For almost two weeks, neighbors in Chester County communities were terrorized as more than 400 law enforcement officials scoured the fields, forests and underbrush of the picturesque county searching for Danilo Cavalcante.

Schiffer Publishing of Atglen, Pennsylvania, is completing the publication of author Bruce E. Mowday’s book A Killer at the Door: The Dramatic Prison Break and Manhunt for Convicted Murderer Danilo Cavalcante. The book is scheduled for a February 28, 2025, release.

Mowday, a former newspaper reporter, contacted more than 80 people for the book and conducted more than 40 formal interviews. Mowday has written three other true crime books connected to his reporting on the infamous Chester County Johnston brothers. The Johnston burglary gang murdered at least six people.

To secure a signed first edition, first printing copy of A Killer at the Door: The Dramatic Prison Break and Manhunt for Convicted Murderer Danilo Cavalcante contact Mowday at mowday@mowday.com. The list price is $24.99.

Cavalcante’s dramatic capture involved drones, K-9 units and thermal imaging. During his escape, Cavalcante broke into neighbors’ homes, stole a rifle and was shot at by one county resident. Cavalcante had been convicted of stabbing to death a woman in front of her two and wanted in connection with a murder in Brazil. While on the loose, the search for Cavalcante was reported in countries across the world.

The lives of residents were threatened and disrupted for two weeks as schools were closed, roads blocked and area businesses, including Longwood Gardens and the Brandywine Museum of Art closed. Residents were traumatized and some continue to experience post-traumatic stress. The cost of the escape has been estimated to be more than $15 million.

“This book has so many layers,” Mowday said. “First, you had the fear instilled in the community as a murderer was loose in their community. Law enforcement officers spent many hours searching for Cavalcante. The operation was impressive as related to me by members of the U.S. Marshals, FBI, Chester County Detectives and members of the local police departments. And, the book recounts the defects of Chester County government in protecting and then alerting the citizens of the county to the dangerous killer in its midst.”

Schiffer publishing publicized:

The gripping true story of murderer Danilo Cavalcante’s daring prison escape and intense manhunt in Chester County, PA in summer 2023.

In summer 2023, Chester County, Pennsylvania, was shaken by the daring escape of convicted murderer Danilo Cavalcante.

Using a “crab-walking” method, Cavalcante scaled a prison wall, sparking a gripping two-week manhunt. He traversed forests, farmlands, and neighborhoods, evading law enforcement and causing schools to close, businesses to shutter, and streets to empty.

The pursuit showcased his survival skills and the relentless efforts of authorities using drones, thermal imaging, K-9 units, and traditional tracking.

The saga ended in a dramatic capture, emphasizing the thin line between freedom and confinement.

Chester County resident and award-winning journalist Bruce Mowday recounts the escape and search, drawing on firsthand accounts from residents, law enforcement, officials, and local reporters.

To contact Schiffer Publishing, see www.schifferbooks.com. Pre-orders, but not signed copies, are available from Schiffer, Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

For more information on Mowday, see www.mowday.com. His true crime books include Jailing the Johnston Gang: Bringing Serial Murderers to Justice, Stealing Wyeth and Small-Town Cops in the Crosshairs: The 1972 Sniper Slayings of Policemen William Davis and Richard Posey. Small-Town Cops was also published by Schiffer. Signed copies of his true crime, history, sports and business books are also available by contacting Mowday.

LAFAYETTE BICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

NEW YORK CITY

AUGUST 15, 2024 TO August 17, 2024

A grand celebration kicked off the Lafayette Bicentennial in New York City. During the festivities, 8^th generation descendants Virginie Lafayette and her daughters Heloise and Adelaide participated. Lafayette, portrayed by Mark Schneider, performed at all of the events and gave rousing talks. A great article on Mark was published on Thursday by the New York Times. Chuck Schwam of the American Friends of Lafayette and the New York City committee did an excellent job of hosting the celebration, especially considering the transportation challenges presented by the traffic in New York City. AFL President Alan R. Hoffman was featured in many of the events and Ben Goldman, who also portrays Lafayette at Bicentennial events, was at an event on Saturday.

You had to be there to experience the full excitement of the Lafayette celebration. The following is a brief recap.

The American Friends of Lafayette began the festivities with a welcoming dinner at Sailor’s Snug Harbor on Staten Island. Meeting at the AFL command post at the New York Marriott Downtown, members took a ferry from the Brookfield Place to Staten Island and then took shuttle buses to Sailor’s Snug Harbor. After dinner and entertainment, the members returned to the Marriott.

Friday’s events were amazing. AFL members were again transported by ferry to Staten Island where breakfast was waiting. Then members joined Lafayette to recreate (21^st century style) his landing in NYC 200 years ago. An airplane displaying a Welcome Lafayette banner, flew over the boat and a sailing club with crew dressed as Revolutionary War soldiers waited near the Statue of Liberty. About 10:00 a.m., Lafayette and AFL members gathered at Brookfield Place where music and speeches were made. At 10:30 a.m., Lafayette, dignitaries and AFL members gathered at Pumphouse Park and took part in a parade down Broadway to Evacuation Day Plaza. Lafayette and his descendants took part in a carriage with a NYPD escort. Some members commented during the parade that they stopped traffic on Broadway and lived to tell the tale. At 11 a.m. at Evacuation Day Plaza, a ceremony and raising of a French flag took place.

Friday afternoon began with a ceremony at City Hall and a visit in the Council Chamber where a portrait of Lafayette is displayed. The next stop was at the National Museum of American Indian and Alexander Hamilton Customs House. President Hoffman welcomed three speakers, including Ray Halbritter of the Oneida Nation who gave an Oneida perspective of Lafayette. James Kirby Martin of the University of Houston, talked on Major General Marquis de Lafayette and “The Nobility of Virtue.” Iona professor Nora Slonimsky talked about the history of Lafayette. The evening concluded with a social evening at Fraunces Tavern Restaurant. AFL members also toured the Tavern’s museum.

Saturday’s events began at the South Street Seaport where Living History talks were given on Lafayette and L’Hermione. Lunch was served at the Park Avenue Armory where tours, a book signing and Living History presentations took place. Presentations at the L’Alliance/Florence Gould Theater completed the afternoon activities.

An Evening at the French Consulate was the headlined event to conclude the session. As you can imagine, fine food and champagne were on the menu.

 

 

 

July 11, 2024

            Editors: This is an op-ed submission in connection to the Brandywine Valley’s participation in the Lafayette Bicentennial Celebration.

Brandywine Valley celebrates kickoff

of the Lafayette Bicentennial Celebration

with second Lafayette Day at Thornbury Farm 

         Two hundred years ago a French hero of the American Revolution, the Marquis Lafayette, was welcomed by hundreds of thousands of Americans in New York City to begin a 13-month grand tour of the United States as the Nation’s Guest.

One reason Lafayette was honored was that Americans were beginning to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of the founding of our country. Today, as we are commencing to celebrate the 250^th anniversary of the founding of our country, Lafayette is once again being honored.

Lafayette deserves the accolades. He was instrumental in obtaining France’s support as we won our freedom. He was a volunteer who spent much of his fortune on our freedom. He spilled his own blood during the battle of Brandywine on September 11, 1777. There are so many reasons to honor the Frenchman.

On Saturday, July 20, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. the second Lafayette Day will be celebrated at Thornbury Farm, 1256 Thornbury Road, West Chester. The event is free and designed to be a fun, family event. The event is hosted by the Lafayette Bicentennial Brandywine Committee and farm proprietor Randell Spackman.

The event features medical artifacts from the Revolution from the J. Howard Wert collection, a heritage walk to where Lafayette was wounded, remarks from Adrianne Lafayette on her husband, and a reading of a prayer by relatives of the person who gave the prayer in West Chester on July 26, 1825, before Lafayette. There will also be games for the children, food trucks, remarks by dignitaries from Chester and Delaware counties and displays and information offered by historical organizations.

Lafayette Day is the perfect time to lean about an American hero.

Lafayette began his tour in New York City in August 1824. The American Friends of Lafayette is beginning its 13-month celebration in New York City, beginning August 15, 2024. The organization has been working for several years to recreate Lafayette grand tour. For information, see www.lafayette200.org.

One of the stops was in Chester and on October 5, 2024, an event will take place to commemorate the event. On July 26, 2025, events will take place in Chadds Ford and West Chester.

The members of the local and national committees of the American Friends hope you will attend as many of the celebrations as possible.

(Bruce E. Mowday is chair of the Lafayette Bicentennial Brandywine Committee and a member of the board of Chester County’s 250^th Committee. He can be reached at mowday@mowday.com.)

 

 

 

 

June 3, 2024

“I didn’t know France helped us (in the American Revolution)” 

         During my book events, I interact with many people in the community. My travels take me to many areas in Pennsylvania and neighboring states. The one lament I hear time and again is that schools don’t teach American history.

On Saturday in Boiling Springs at a very successful arts and craft show, a young man stopped to peruse my history and true crime books. He appeared to be in his mid-20s and he was articulate. His main interest was centered on the book I wrote about the sniper-killings of two Kennett Square policemen. He asked some good questions about the case and the evidence against the convicted murderer.

We began a brief discussion on my books on Lafayette. His knowledge of the American hero who was wounded at the battle of Brandywine on September 11, 1777, was limited. I mentioned that Lafayette was responsible for the support from France that the United States needed to gain our freedom from England.

“I didn’t know France helped us,” was his reply.

The brief statement left me dumbfounded. The young man obviously had no understanding of the founding of our country. Indeed, wherever he went to school, the educational system was a failure.

In contrast, a woman stopped by my booth the same day and talked about the school system and the substance being taught. She and her friends have had enough of the perverted curriculum, she declared.

The discontent and divisiveness in this country on a myriad of subjects is evident by the one-on-one discussions I have at book events.

The American Friends of Lafayette is commemorating the bicentennial of Lafayette being honored as “America’s Guest.” For 13 months, Lafayette traveled the country in 1824 and 1825. Almost daily, parades, dinners and special events were held to honor his assistance in winning our freedom. For those interested in additional information, see www.lafayette200.org.

 

 

 

May 29, 2024

Renowned artist Karl J. Kuerner and author Bruce E. Mowday

present a special program on their book Emotional Brandywine

at the General Warren on Wednesday, June 26

Those attending will have a chance to interact with artist and author

          MALVERN _ The historic General Warren is hosting a dinner program with artist Karl J. Kuerner and author Bruce E. Mowday. They will give a presentation on their newly released book, Emotional Brandywine.

“The General Warren is a wonderful venue to talk about the American Revolution,” Mowday said. “The inn played a part in the Philadelphia campaign just after the September 11, 1777, battle at Brandywine.”

The event takes place on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, at the General Warren, 9 Old Lancaster Road, Malvern. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. with a 30-minute reception with light hors d’oeuvres. A meet and greet the artist and author will take place.

Dinner will be served at 6:00 p.m. Kuerner and Mowday will then give the presentation. Reservations are required for the event. To make a reservation, call the General Warren at 610 296-3637 and mention the lecture. The cost is $59.00 per person and includes dinner, unlimited soft beverages, coffee, and family style mini sweets. Adult beverages, tax and gratuity are additional.

Kuerner created 22 paintings depicting the essence of the largest land battle of the American Revolution. Mowday captured the history of the historic engagement and the emotion fashioned by Kuerner’s paintings.

“This is our second book in a series,” Kuerner said. “We began with Emotional Gettysburg. I selected scenes to paint that had significance to our nation’s history. Bruce wrote the essays. Readers told us after reading Emotional Gettysburg, they never will view Gettysburg the same.”

Mowday added, “The area covered by the battle at Brandywine, from the village of Kennett Square, across the fields of Chadds Ford and on to the town of Chester, is special today and in history. Karl creates special, thoughtful paintings. Karl’s paintings are impressive in Emotional Brandywine.”

Signed books will be available for purchase.

Kuerner was raised on land where skirmishes took place during the battle of Brandywine. His neighbors were the Wyeth family of artists. Kuerner’s artistic talent was recognized and nurtured at a very young age by Carolyn Wyeth – sister of Andrew Wyeth and a renowned artist in her own right.

​            Kuerner grew up surrounded by artists and the task of painting. From the age of seven he watched Andrew Wyeth paint some of his greatest works at the Kuerner Farm – Karl’s family homestead for three generations – and a major source of inspiration for more than 1,000 of Wyeth’s works of art – and eventually over 300 of Kuerner’s own works.

​            As Kuerner matured artistically, Andrew Wyeth took a keen interest in the young artist and took him under his wing – mentoring and teaching him for more than three decades. “Wyeth looked at Karl Kuerner and said, ‘It’s up to you to carry this on. And it won’t be easy’. . . . Wyeth added, ‘Karl understands what I’m about: pure, deep, emotion.  I have always emphasized to Karl that an artist must paint what he loves . . . and Karl has been painting that which he loves for nearly forty years now. His work is inspiring and deeply introspective . . . it exhibits a strong honest quality that comes from deep within and touches the ordinary in a profound way.”

​            Although Kuerner was initially influenced by the Wyeths, he is certainly not one of them – nor does he want to be. He is described by many as a fine painter of great merit – possessing his own intimate and straightforward style. He paints realistically using strong abstract shapes. He paints portraits of great variety. For more information on Kuerner and his paintings, see www.karljkuerner.com.

Mowday is an award-winning author and newspaper reporter. He has authored more than 25 books on history, sports, business and true crime. Mowday has appeared on numerous television and radio shows. For information on Mowday, see www.mowday.com.