Lafayette Tour Marker, Montpelier, Vermont (VT-37)
State Street
Montpelier, VT 05609
United States
President James Monroe invited the Marquis de Lafayette to visit the United States, his adopted country. Lafayette’s tour of all 24 states in 1824 and 1825 drew large crowds and sparked a renewal of patriotism. During the American Revolution, Lafayette’s intense advocacy of the American cause convinced King Louis XVI of France to send troops and ships, which proved crucial to the American victory at Yorktown.
Lafayette began the day in Vermont, traveling through Windsor, Woodstock, Royalton, Randolph Center, and Barre, changing horses every ten miles to maintain speed. He finally reached Montpelier around 9:00 p.m., hours behind schedule — but the town was still waiting for him. Citizens lined the streets, and he was escorted into town by the Washington Artillery, Montpelier Light Infantry, and Captain Taplin’s Infantry of Berlin. Lafayette addressed a crowd from the second-story balcony of the first Vermont State House, followed by a banquet at Mann's Hotel. After the banquet, Lafayette spent the night at the home of Willys F. Caldwell, which had been completely redecorated for the occasion.
Learn about Revolutionary War Combat Strategy. Watch the Revolutionary War Animated Map. For a summary, read An Overview of the American Revolution.
