Lafayette in Annapolis- 200 Years Ago

When Lafayette arrived in Annapolis in 1781, The Atlantic Monthly quoted Mrs. Margaret Ogle, “The divine Marquis de la Fayette is in town, and is quite the thing.” Lafayette made several trips to Annapolis, but his last visit in 1824 was part of an extensive tour from New Hampshire to Louisiana. As would be expected, Lafayette’s visit was filled with military reviews, balls, and other festivities.

On December 17, 1824, Lafayette entered the State House to much pomp and circumstance. A semi-circle of girls dressed in white and holding banners that said “Lafayette- The friend of our fathers, will always be welcome to the hearts of their children” greeted him to the rotunda and escorted him into the Old Senate Chamber.

The Hammond-Harwood House is proud to have in its collection a ribbon likely worn by Judge Jeremiah Townley Chase, who was on the Annapolis welcoming committee for Lafayette’s visit. Judge Chase was owner of Hammond-Harwood House, which he purchased for his daughter, Frances Loockerman, and her family.

The ribbon and a commemorative Lafayette bowl of the period will be on view in the Hammond-Harwood House Introductory Gallery, which is free and open to the public December 13-15 as Annapolis celebrates the 200th anniversary of his visit.

On December 14 at 3 p.m., Hammond-Harwood House will offer a special Lafayette tour focused on the Annapolis of 200 years ago and featuring additional objects related to Lafayette’s visit – a miniature portrait of Lafayette, a French Dubuc ormolu clock commissioned by the Marquis in honor of Washington, and portraits of prominent Annapolitans of 1824.