Myopia Driving Club member Pam Stone had one busy Labor Day weekend.
Over three days, she and her quarter horse Blue delivered the Marquis de Lafayette—well, a reenactor—to speaking engagements in eleven cities and towns across the North Shore and New Hampshire’s Seacoast.
The real Marquis de Lafayette became a hero of the American Revolution at a very young age—he was only nineteen when he offered his services to George Washington’s Continental Army. In addition to leading troops as a major-general, Lafayette was crucial in the effort to drum up French support for the American cause. He returned to France after the American Revolution, but in 1824, President James Monroe asked Lafayette, the last surviving Revolutionary War general, to come back for a tour of the States. This Farewell Tour inspired patriotism and excitement amid a contentious presidential election.
To mark the 200th anniversary of Lafayette’s Farewell Tour, the American Friends of Lafayette has organized hundreds of events for 2024 and 2025, following the major-general’s historical route. Pam and Blue participated in stops in Lynn, Newburyport, Chelsea, Marblehead, Salem, Beverly, and Ipswich in Massachusetts as well as Hampton Falls, Hampton, Greenland, and Portsmouth in New Hampshire.
With the help of Kim and Bob Porter, Pam unloaded the trailer near each venue, hitched Blue to her lovely Bird-in-Hand Eaglet, and drove Lafayette reenactor Ben Goldman to events at various museums, historical societies, libraries, and parks. At each venue, the Marquis delivered speeches, answered questions, and delighted audiences by bringing history to life.
Every driving event takes a village, and the same was true for the horse and carriage portion of the Bicentennial Farewell Tour. Many members of the MDC came out to lend a hand, cheer them on, and help direct traffic on busy downtown streets.
Thanks to Pam and Blue, “America’s favorite fighting Frenchman” made a grand entrance at each and every stop!