Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser and other dignitaries welcomed the triumphant return of Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier de La Fayette, Marquis de La Fayette, commemorating when the historically famous Revolutionary War general first visit to the Crescent City 200 years ago in April 1825.
200 Years in the Making
As one of the only living military generals of the Revolution, Lafayette toured the United States and visited America's premier French-heritage city, staying at the Cabildo during his four month stay as there were no large hotels to host someone as famous as him—the 19th century equivalent of a modern-day rock star—and his extensive entourage.
After a welcoming introduction, a believable Lafayette in full period attire took to the podium and paraphrased Lafayette's original speech, adding a few humorous references from where the country was in 1825, thick with irony of the crowd's understanding of technology and how the United States has evolved beyond that time.
The Marquis' original speech was given from a second floor window in the Cabildo, but with the opening of the Bienvenue Lafayette exhibit surrounding the bicentennial of the event along with the opening reception, a marker noted the spot Lafayette spoke from in front of the window inside the hall. With French Quarter Festival stages at the ready, the reenactor took to the NewOrleans.com stage in Jackson Square to deliver his address to the 2025 City of New Orleans population. Other enthusiasts were also donning period garb to make the event feel more authentic.
When the Marquis was finished, to much applause, Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser took the stage to denote what a historic, significant, and important event Lafayette's visit to new Orleans was globally.
During his first visit, the French aristocrat defied the sensibilities of the day in 1825 by engaging with and in some cases embracing enslaved people of color, as well as talking with women on intellectual levels about thought-provoking topics.
After the presentation, Lafayette led a second line procession from Jackson Square into the Cabildo building for guests to engage with his character, as well as explore the new exhibition in Lafayette's honor.
Mr. Lafayette's Coming Home
Coincidentally, the Broadway Musical tour of Hamilton, which heavily features Lafayette and his importance in the Battle of Yorktown in the first act, is currently running at the Saenger Theatre through April 20.
One partygoer approached the reenactor as Lafayette and said, "I loved you in Hamilton," which elicited an uncharacteristic laugh from the Marquis.
