Philadelphia----This year marks the 250th anniversary of the birth of one of the most heroic figures of American History; the Marie Jean Paul Joseph Roche Yves Gilbert du Mortier, the Marquis de Lafayette. Born on September 6th, Lafayette was a renowned individual in both the Old and the New World. A loyal Freemason, Lafayette sincerely believed in the principles of liberty and equality for all.
To commemorate this important occasion, the Masonic Library and Museum of Pennsylvania, located within the 1873 National Historic Landmark Masonic Temple, will hold a weekend of public events on October 20th & 21st. This program was made possible through a grant from the Pennsylvania Humanities Council and is co-sponsored with the American Philosophical Society, the Atwater Kent Museum of Philadelphia, Brandywine Battlefield, Independence National Historical Park, and the History Department of La Salle University.
The program will include:
- 9:00 AM (10/20) Lecture presented in the Masonic Temple entitled: "Washington and Lafayette, Father and Son of the Revolution" by Dr. Stuart Leibiger, Professor at and Chairman of the History Department at La Salle University. Light refreshments will be served.
- 10:15 AM (10/20) Lecture presented in the Masonic Temple entitled: "Lafayette Returns: Independence After Fifty Years" by Dr. Robert Allison, Professor of History and Chairman of the American Studies Department at Suffolk University. Light refreshments will be served.
- 12:30 PM (10/20) Lunch at Philadelphia's historic 1774 City Tavern with an opportunity to meet the Marquis de Lafayette.
- 1:45 PM (10/20) Walking Tour of Philadelphia Sites associated with Lafayette lead by Susan Kellogg of At Your Service Tours. The tour will include an opportunity to see objects affiliated and associated with Lafayette at the American Philosophical Society, the Second Bank of the United States Portrait Gallery of Independence National Historical Park and the Atwater Kent Museum of Philadelphia.
- 2 PM (10/21) "Music of Lafayette;" an organ concert with Marc F. Cheban, a world-renowned organist and composer, held in the recently restored Corinthian Hall of the Masonic Temple. Come and offer birthday greetings to Lafayette.
"We are very excited about this event and for the opportunity to salute one of greater leaders from America's proud heritage," said Andrew A. Zellers-Frederick, the Executive Director for the Masonic Library and Museum of Pennsylvania. "We welcome everyone to this two-day program for a truly memorable and unique experience."
Individual fees are available for each program or a discount will be offered for subscribing to the entire two-day event. Reservations are strongly urged to avoid disappointment. For information and/or to make reservations, please contact (215)988-1909 or via
email.
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