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.
On July 27, 1825, General Lafayette was traveling west along Strasburg Road from West Chester to Lancaster when he stopped in East Fallowfield, Pennsylvania. He stopped at an inn run by Mr. John Filson, who was reported to be a Revolutionary War veteran, and he had breakfast there. The committee from Lancaster then met him at the inn to escort him to Lancaster.
Learn about Revolutionary War Combat Strategy. Watch the Revolutionary War Animated Map. For a summary, read An Overview of the American Revolution.