Lafayette Day Fundraiser at the Scotch Plains Stage House Tavern on September 6

SCOTCH PLAINS – August 2, 2024 – The American Friends of Lafayette (AFL) and the Stage House Tavern in Scotch Plains are excited to announce that the National Bicentennial of Lafayette’s Farewell Tour will be celebrated in Scotch Plains at the Stage House Tavern on Friday, September 6 with a Lafayette Day Fundraiser on Lafayette’s birthday. 

On the National Register of Historic Places, the Stage House Tavern was built in 1737 and is perhaps the oldest continuously operating restaurant/tavern/inn in New Jersey. Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette who served as a Major General in the Continental Army during the American Revolution visited the Stage House Tavern and dined there. Lafayette was instrumental in securing American independence both through his direct military leadership in the Revolutionary War, as well as his constant petitioning of King Louis XVI and France for their alliance and support.

The AFL is a not-for-profit historic and patriotic society dedicated to the memory of Major General Lafayette and is currently working on recreating and celebrating the Bicentennial of Lafayette's Farewell Tour which begins in New York City on August 15, 2024, and ends in Washington, D.C. in September 2025.

Lafayette’s Farewell Tour saw the French 67-year-old last surviving major general of the American Revolution triumphantly return to America from August 15, 1824, to September 9, 1825, when he covered over 6,000 miles, traveling to all 24 then-existing states and “Washington City.”

During the celebration of the Bicentennial of Lafayette’s Farewell Tour, the AFL will hold events in cities and towns in all the 24 states Lafayette visited, and will follow Lafayette’s 1824-1825 itinerary. The AFL needs financial support to help create and sustain the 13-month national commemoration’s events, programming, and educational opportunities.

The Stage House Tavern has graciously agreed to donate 5% of all purchases at the State House on September 6 to benefit the AFL’s bicentennial efforts. Please stop by the Stage House anytime on September 6 between 11:30am until closing around 1:00am and enjoy the historic tavern while getting a drink or a bite to eat and enjoying some live music later in the evening. There will also be Traveling Exhibits on the Life and Legacy of The Marquis de Lafayette featured at the Stage House during that day.

“It is the pride of my heart to have been one of the earliest adopted sons of America.”

~ Marquis de Lafayette

Please visit www.lafayette200.org and https://www.stagehousetavern.com/scotchplains/ for more information.