Lafayette Tour Marker, Rensselaer, New York (NY-150)

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. 

Going up the Hudson River from New York City, Lafayette was forced to disembark a few miles south of Albany because of the Overslaugh, a sand bar making steamer navigation difficult in shallower waters. From there, Lafayette proceeded north in a carriage and arrived in Greenbush (today's Rensselaer is part of it), accompanied by Maj. Gen. Solomon Van Rensselaer. An arch was erected in Greenbush in honor of Lafayette, bearing the inscriptions "Freedom's Volunteer, LA FAYETTE - One Republic not ungrateful" and "Yorktown, 19th October, 1781 - "The Boy did escape."

Learn about Revolutionary War Combat Strategy. Watch the Revolutionary War Animated Map. For a summary, read An Overview of the American Revolution.