General Lafayette returns to Waterbury for bicentennial of Grand Farewell Tour

In 1824-25, General Marquis de Lafayette, then the last living general of the American Revolution, toured the 23 United States of America as a "Guest of the Nation" in a "grand farewell" to the country whose independence from monarchical tyranny he helped win.

General Lafayette (2nd from left) was the guest of honor on June 29, 1825/2025 at Ezra Butler's home on N. Main Street during his Farewell Tour of the United States. Photo courtesy Robert Kimmerle.

For the last 13 months, the American Friends of Lafayette have been recreating that tour to the best that historical documentation allows, filling in gaps with interpretive reenactments that align with the spirit of Lafayette's visit. Vermont was the final stop on his tour.

The place where it happened on the date that it happened.

On June 29, 1825, General Lafayette reportedly stopped in Waterbury at the home of prominent Waterbury citizen Ezra Butler. Accompanied by then-Governor Cornelius Van Ness, Lafayette was introduced to the politician, lawyer, preacher, and Revolutionary War veteran whose home on N. Main St. was among the first wood frame structures in town. Butler was elected the 11th governor of Vermont the following year. Butler’s daughter Fanny was also in attendance to greet the Marquis.

Ezra Butler (left) toasts Governor Van Ness (center) and General Lafayette in front of approximately 50 attendees to the reenactment. Photo courtesy Skip Flanders.

Politicians playing nice.

Governor Van Ness reportedly had spent quite a lot of money for the many expenses of the Lafayette Farewell Tour and planned to seek reimbursement from the House Appropriations Committee. That year, Butler was serving as Chair of the Vermont House of Representatives Appropriations Committee, which had to approve all state government spending.

In this reenactment, General Lafayette (played by Michael Halbert, one of the nation's top Lafayette reenactors) and Ezra Butler (historical society member Joe

General Lafayette (center) expresses his gratitude and delight for the welcome he received in Vermont. Photo courtesy Robert Kimmerle.

Camaratta) exchanged speeches of gratitude, respect, and commendation, after which Fanny Butler (historical society member Cheryl Casey)

read a resolution passed by the Waterbury Select Board at a meeting several weeks prior. Select Board Chair Alyssa Johnson signed the resolution and was on hand to greet the marquis.

Left to right: General Lafayette, Waterbury Select Board Chair Alyssa Johnson, and American Friends of Lafayette member Tim Jerman, who played a key role in organizing Lafayette's tour through Vermont. Photo courtesy Skip Flanders.

Read the speeches and resolution.

Ezra Butler's welcome speech

General Lafayette's speech

Town Resolution

The house is currently under private ownership and the historical society is grateful to its current owner, Chris Noyes, for permission to hold this event on the front lawn.

More information about the Friends of Lafayette and the Bicentennial Tour can be found at lafayette200.org.