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Heroic Lafayette: French Founding Father at NY Historical Society (Exhibit)

New-York Historical Society President and CEO Louise Mirrer, curator Richard Rabinowitz and historian and Lafayette in Two Worlds author Lloyd Kramer will provide members of the media with an in-depth preview of the Historical Society’s new exhibition, French Founding Father: Lafayette’s Return to Washington’s America, on Thursday, November 15 from 10 a.m. to Noon at the New-York Historical Society (170 Central Park West at 77th Street).

On the occasion of Gilbert du Motier Lafayette’s 250th birthday, the exhibition explores the Marquis’ role in the American Revolution and how his year-long tour of the fledgling United States in 1824 inspired the patriotic identification of a young nation. During Lafayette’s visit, the “nation’s guest” was greeted as a hero by millions of cheering supporters in towns and cities across America for his bravery during the tortuous war for independence, his loyalty to General Washington, and as a symbol of freedom.

French Founding Father features multi-media, interactive elements allowing visitors to experience Young America’s fervor over Lafayette, along with an original carriage he rode in during his tour, a replica of a French Revolution-era guillotine and examples of the hats, shoes, punch bowls and other memorabilia merchants created to commemorate – and profit from -- his visit.

French Founding Father: Lafayette’s Return to Washington’s America opens Friday, November 16 and runs through August 10, 2008.