“06880” is “where Westport meets the world.”
And not just in 2024.
Today marks the 200th anniversary of a great moment in local history. (Of course, this was 11 years before Westport broke away from Norwalk, Wilton, Weston and Fairfield to become its own town.)
Josh Berkowsky has unearthed this fascinating bit of history: Two centuries ago today, Marquis de Lafayette’s visited here.
This 1824 portrait of the Marquis de Lafayette now hangs in the US House of Representatives.
In 1824 the French nobleman and military officer — who half a century earlier had joined the Continental Army, led by General George Washington, in the Revolutionary War — returned to this now-established country, already 50 years old.
(It was not his first time here. In 1780 he is said to have discussed war strategy with General Washington and Comte de Rochambeau at the Disbrow Tavern — where Christ & Holy Trinity Church is today).
Lafayette arrived in New York on August 15, 1824, accompanied by his son (Georges Washington) and his secretary.
He was greeted by a group of Revolutionary War veterans who had fought alongside him many years before. There were 4 days and nights of celebration in the city.
Lafayette left for what he thought would be a restful trip to Boston. But cheering citizens welcomed him with celebrations, in nearly every town along the way.
Josh found this official description of Lafayette’s stop here:
At Saugatuck the militia were prepared throughout the day, to fire a salute; but owing to the lateness of the hour when the cavalcade approached, it being 10 at night, the villagers could do no more than give their loud huzzas, as the General passed.
Although we sadly could not give the hero of the Revolution the welcome he deserved as he passed through our little Burgh, not yet then a town, our neighbors gave him more than a sufficient welcome to make up for it.
“Washington and Lafayette at Valley Forge” (John Ward Dunsmore, 1907)
He arrived at Norwalk, at 8 o’clock P.M. where his arrival was announced by a salute from the heights, and discharges of musketry.
Two companies of uniform militia were in waiting to salute him. An arch was formed across the bridge, with the following inscription — “Welcome Lafayette,” in large letters, on a white ground.
On one side of the arch, the American flag was displayed, and on the other a French flag. As the General had been expected from about 11, A.M. Norwalk was filled with people from the surrounding country, at an early hour in the day, who remained anxiously waiting until the time of his arrival. All business in the town was suspended.
The General arrived at Fairfield about half past ten at night. In this beautiful town, great preparations were made to receive him; but as he had not made his appearance at a late hour, it was supposed he would not arrive until the following day.
It was calculated the fit between 1000 and 1200 persons were collected here, including the inhabitants.
They all remained until late in the evening, still hoping that he might be on his way; but they were at length reluctantly compelled to give up the hope, and all retired, except a few of the most distinguished inhabitants of the town, who remained at the Washington Hotel, until the General arrived.
From here, the war hero continued to Bridgeport, Stratford and then Hartford, where he met with the son of our Revolutionary governor, Roger Sherman.
Josh notes: “This goes to show we’re a small part of the tapestry that makes up our country, and to try and remember what the Marquis and many other fought for, in his own words, that ‘Humanity has gained its suit; Liberty will nevermore be without an asylum.'”
Marquis de Lafayette
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