On Saturday evening September 28th, 2024 Practitioner of Musick John Burkhalter, who is also a member of the American Friends of Lafayette, participated in a soirée honoring the Bicentennial 1824/2024 visit to America of the Marquis de Lafayette.
The grand celebration, including period music and dance, took place in the commodious banquet hall of the Grand Masonic Temple on Broad Street in Philadelphia. This extraordinarily festive event was arranged by Michael McKee, Executive Director of the Masonic Library and Museum, in collaboration of Chuck Schwam Executive Director, The American Friends of Lafayette.
In 1824 on the eve of the 50th Anniversary of the American War of Independence, President James Monroe, invited Lafayette to be the Nation’s Guest. The Marquis, who had served as a Major General in the Continental Army commanded by General George Washington, travelled extensively throughout the 24 American states at that time. Citizens of New Jersey, essentially the crossroads of the American Revolution, warmly greeted Lafayette as he made his progress through the state including stops in Princeton and Trenton en route to a remarkable series of celebratory fetes in Philadelphia.
Practitioner of Musick John Burkhalter with the Marquis de Lafayette as interpreted by Mark Schneider
John Burkhalter, Anne Enslow, Sue Dupre, and Ridley Enslow in the Grand Banquet Hall of the Masonic Temple in Philadelphia.