Grand Lafayette Celebration Takes Place in Chadds Ford and West Chester

Saturday, July 26, 2025

July 22nd, 2025

July 22, 2025

Lafayette Ball takes place at Chester County History Center

 

Revolutionary War Hero Marquis De Lafayette

honored with Pennsylvania military medal

and grand celebration in Chadds Ford

Public invited to free morning event on Saturday, July 26, 2025

CHADDS FORD _    Two hundred years ago, American Hero Major General Marquis De Lafayette visited Chadds Ford and West Chester as part of Lafayette’s 13-month tour as America’s guest.

On Saturday, July 26, 2025, after three years of planning, Lafayette will be honored by the public at two events in connection with the American Friends of Lafayette national recreation of Lafayette’s grand tour. Hundreds of thousands of people have participated in Lafayette Bicentennial events across the nation since August 2024.

“Saturday is our turn to publically honor Lafayette in a grand style. All are welcome to attend the free event in Chadds Ford. I’m hoping many citizens, young and not-so-young, attend this historic event,” said Bruce E. Mowday, chair of the Lafayette Bicentennial Brandywine Committee. “Lafayette contributed his youth, his fortune and his blood to make America free.”

The Chadds Ford event takes place at Thornbury Farm, 1256 Thornbury Road, West Chester, beginning at 10:00 a.m. The official ceremony is slated for 11:00 a.m. Following the ceremony, a heritage walk will take place to the site where Lafayette was wounded on September 11, 1777, during the battle of Brandywine.

At 6:00 p.m., the Chester County History Center, 225 North High Street, is hosting a Lafayette Ball. The gala will include an appearance by Lafayette and Marine Fraval-Vennel, Honorary French Consul to Philadelphia. Fraval-Vennel is the main speaker at the Chadds Ford event. Tickets are required for the Ball. For information, go to https://mycchc.org/lafayettes-ball/.

“Saturday is an excellent opportunity for our community to celebrate Lafayette, to engage in our rich American history and to have a fun and memorable family outing,” Mowday said. “So many organizations and individuals have contributed to these two events. There will be history displays, music and events for children at Chadds Ford.

One of the highlights of the day will be the awarding of “The Pennsylvania Cross for Valor to Major General Marquis De Lafayette, Continental Army American Revolution for Act of Valor Above the Ordinary Gallantry.”

The medal was approved by Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Major General John R. Pippy, Adjutant General of Pennsylvania. This will be the first military medal given to Lafayette from Pennsylvania.

The citation states, “Major General Marquis de Lafayette demonstrated exceptional bravery and valor engaging the British Army in support of the Continental Army on September 11, 1777. Major General Lafayette’s inspirational leadership and tireless devotion resulted in a successful retreat at Brandywine, positioning General Washington for future success in the war with the British. His dedication to preserving American freedom through military action in support of a partner nation set an example for all to follow. Major General Lafayette’s courage and gallantry reflect great credit upon himself, the Continental Army, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.”

In 1824 and 1825, Frenchman Lafayette, a Revolutionary War American hero, returned to the United States as the “Nation’s Guest.” For 13 months, Lafayette toured all 24 states and received grand welcomes from each city and hamlet he visited. The American Friends of Lafayette is recreating Lafayette’s stops in American during those 13 months. The celebration began in New York City in August 2024 and will conclude in Washington, D.C., in September. For more information, see www.lafayette200.org.

On July 26, 1825, Lafayette visited the Brandywine battlefield where he was wounded. Later in the day West Chester where he was given a grand dinner.

“Lafayette earned The Pennsylvania Cross for Valor on September 11, 1777, on a field near where the presentation will be made,” said Mowday. Lafayette was wounded in his left leg rallying American troops. The moment he spilled his blood in the cause of our freedom, he became an American hero.”

Committee member Pauline Cabouli deserves credit for pursuing the medal for Lafayette, according to Mowday. “Pauline worked tirelessly filling out forms and contacting state officials to make the presentation possible. Her dedication to the Lafayette cause is admirable.”