‘General Lafayette’ Retraces His (200-Year-Old) Steps, Visits Old Lyme

Old Lyme First Selectwoman Martha Shoemaker addresses the audience.at the celebration held to honor General Lafayette’s visit to Old Lyme on Aug. 22, 1824. The event was held in the Old Lyme Historical Society’s building on Lyme Street. All photos by James Meehan except where otherwise indicated.

OLD LYME— On Thursday, Aug. 22, the Old Lyme Historical Society Inc. (OLHSI) celebrated the 200th Anniversary of Major General Marquis de Lafayette’s visit to Old Lyme on Aug. 22, 1824, by serving a continental breakfast attended by Lafayette re-enactor Michael Halbert.

The Old Lyme Historical Society building was appropriately decorated to welcome their esteemed guest.

Around 80 people attended to enjoy breakfast, hear speeches, and take photos of and meet with ‘General Lafayette.’

The.celebratory event drew such a large crowd that there was standing room only for some attendees.

This event was part of a nationwide celebration affiliated with Lafayette200 and took place at the OLHSI building at 55 Lyme Street in Old Lyme.

Major General Marquis de Lafayette, played by re-enactor Michael Halbert.(center), drew a constant throng of guests who wished to chat and take photos with him

Lafayette was taking a two-year tour of 24 states to honor the United States’ 50th birthday. On Aug. 22, 1824, he enjoyed breakfast with Richard McCurdy at his home on Lyme Street.

After the breakfast on Aug. 22, 2024 had concluded, ‘General Lafayette’ took a stroll down Lyme Street to the South Green, where revolutionary troops were briefly billeted.

Following the breakfast event, ‘General Lafayette’ walked down Lyme Street to the South Green.

For more information about General Lafayette’s visit and Lafayette200, visit the OLHS website or lafayette200.org or lafayettecttrail.org/old-lyme

‘General Lafayette’ chatted with a passer-by on Lyme Street. Michaela Pearson (front right) from the OLHSI listened intently. Photo by David Patterson.

Editor’s Note: Read more about Lafayette in these two columns by Tom Gotowka, which were published previously on LymeLine.

A View from My Porch: “Lafayette, We Are Here!” An American History Refresher published Feb. 5, 2024.
A View from My Porch: More on the Marquis: Lafayette’s Farewell Tour— The Bicentennial published March 1, 2024.