The Charlton Historical Society, Old Sturbridge Village, and the American Friends of Lafayette will collaborate to commemorate Lafayette’s reception in Charlton, MA on September 3rd, 1824. The Rider Tavern, then known as Stone’s Coffeehouse, where Lafayette stopped, still exists and is maintained by the Charlton Historical Society. Across the street is the field where Charlton Militia drilled in 1824.

On September 3rd, 2024 at 4:00 pm, at the Rider Tavern, located at 255 Stafford Street, Charlton, MA, we will have a reenactment of The Reverend Rich greeting Lafayette and a response from Lafayette. Costumed interpreters will shout the sort of greetings that Lafayette received from the crowd. The Rider Tavern was the site of the first trial run event for the Bicentennial that occurred in 2018.

Here is a video of that event.