In 2024, the United States will commemorate the bicentennial of Marquis de LaFayette’s Farewell Tour of the country, and East Lyme will be part of the celebration.

On Aug. 22, 1824, LaFayette paid an afternoon visit to the Calkins’ Tavern in the Flanders section of today’s East Lyme as part of his widely celebrated national expedition. He reportedly ate a midday meal in the tavern and spoke to several townspeople outside on the lawn about his memories of the Revolutionary War and southeastern Connecticut.

After leaving Flanders, LaFayette moved on to spend the night at the Shaw House in New London.

The East Lyme Historical Society is sponsoring activities to celebrate the visit of Marquis de LaFayette to our local area during his historic tour of the 24 states of the union. We are looking for volunteers who are interested in Revolutionary War history and our local area’s place in the early years of the United States. We invite all readers to participate.

If you are interested in following this town event or becoming involved, please send a quick note to lafayetteinEL@hotmail.com.

For more information on the national bicentennial celebration of LaFayette’s Farewell Tour see: https://thelafayettetrail.org/

Ted Welsh is a member of the East Lyme Historical Society's board of directors.

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