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 arrived in Mendon on June 7, 1825, coming from Rochester and Lockport. He was met by local envoys, who had assembled to escort him to Canandaigua. He changed carriages and continued on quickly, heading southeast toward Canandaigua, where a major reception awaited him.
Learn about Revolutionary War Combat Strategy. Watch the Revolutionary War Animated Map. For a summary, read An Overview of the American Revolution.