Lafayette’s Ball

Celebrate the Marquis de Lafayette, hero of the American Revolution and a great friend to George Washington, and his return to Chester County in 1825. After visiting the fields of the Battle of Brandywine the morning of July 26, 1825, the Marquis and his entourage traveled to West Chester, where they participated in a parade through the town and stopped just east of the Friends Meeting to review the troops. Later, Lafayette was taken to the Court House, where Eber Worthington, proprietor of the adjacent Turk’s Head Hotel, provided an excellent dinner.

The Chester County History Center will host an homage to the original dinner which Lafayette enjoyed in 1825. Guests will be encouraged, though not required, to dress in period attire. They will enjoy drinks and refreshments that would have been served in 1825. Musicians will provide live period music on harpsichord, flute, and violin, while dancers demonstrate popular dances of the time and encourage attendees to join in. Guests may also explore a selection of early craftspeople, who will be demonstrating arts of the early American period.

Although Lafayette was toasted by an exclusive audience during the dinner in 1825, our 2025 reception is inclusive.  Come one, come all!