Meeting the Marquis

Lafayette's Bicentennial Tour

Two Tuesdays ago, I drove David and his friend to an outdoor concert at Tree House Brewing Company in nearby Deerfield. They were seeing Dark Star Orchestra, a Grateful Dead tribute band, that has been performing together since 1997. I didn’t go to the show, instead opting to meet some friends for ice cream, but I liked the band’s concept: they base their sets on specific Grateful Dead concerts. The night David and his friend attended their show, the first set they played was a recreation of a Grateful Dead show held November 21, 1969. The second set was extras/fillers.

At this point, Dark Star Orchestra has been performing together almost as long as the Grateful Dead (1997-2024 vs 1965-1995). This speaks to the powerful legacy of the Grateful Dead’s concerts as well Dark Star Orchestra’s ability to recreate an experience that people still long to be a part of.

What bygone musical act would you like to see recreated?

Meeting the Marquis de Lafayatte

Last Tuesday, I attended a historical recreation that was more my speed—a celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Marquis de Lafayette’s visit to Sturbridge, Massachusetts.

Me with the reenactor portraying the Marquis de Lafayette

If you’re not familiar with the Marquis de Lafayette and his role in American history, the short story is that he was born into French nobility and trained in the French military from a young age. At nineteen, he came over to support George Washington and the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War and distinguished himself as a leader. If you want a longer (humorous) bio, checkout this profile on Allison Epstein’s Substack, Dirtbags Through the Ages (note: she does not classify Lafayette as a dirtbag).

In 1824, the Marquis de Lafayette returned to the United States for what was supposed to be a three month tour but ended up being thirteen months. Everywhere he went, he was greeted with fanfare and celebrations. It was a contentious time politically in the US, and Lafayette’s visit helped remind people of their shared values forged during the Revolutionary War and America’s founding.

This year, The American Friends of Lafayette is hosting events across the United States at Lafayette’s original tour stops in order to commemorate the 200th anniversary of his visit.

Reliving history in Sturbridge, Massachusetts

Sturbridge, Massachusetts, is home to Old Sturbridge Village, a museum that shows what living conditions were like in rural New England in the early 1800s. I have yet to visit the museum, but I wanted to attend the Marquis de Lafayette bicentennial event there because it promised cannons, musicians, costumed reenactors and “the closest thing to the actual events that took place in 1824.”

Around 6pm, we spectators gathered around the town square, which had been roped off so that the cannons could safely be fired.

A band played Lafayette through a welcome arch. Then, we all gathered by the outdoor stage where townspeople thanked Lafayette for coming, the guest of honor gave a speech, and a choir performed patriotic songs. Afterward, there was traditional dancing.

Meeting the original attendees

Even though I love dancing, I headed across the street because I wanted to visit the Old Burial Ground before sundown.

Old Burial Ground. Sturbridge, MA.

The daylight was dim and some of the gravestones were quite worn, so it was hard to read the inscriptions, but I did manage to find a couple of folks who, at least based on their dates of deaths, might have attended the celebration when the Marquis de Lafayette visited in 1824. I wonder what they would have thought of people gathering 200 years later to recreate the event?

Old Burial Ground. Sturbridge, MA.

Do you want to meet the Marquis?

Watch this hype video and then check out the Lafayette 200 website to see if he has any stops near you!

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