‘l’Hermione aux U.S.A.’

     

You didn’t think the Hermione would visit New York City without some Masonic commemoration, did you?

It’s a replica of Lafayette’s ship actually, making the voyage from Port des Barques, whence Lafayette came in the spring of 1780, to the New World, making twelve stops along the East Coast—from Yorktown to Nova Scotia—today through July 18, including a July 1-4 stay at the South Street Seaport. Click here for the New York schedule of events.

Courtesy hermione2015.com

One of the organizers of this celebration of Franco-American history is a Freemason from France, who will be a guest speaker at Masonic Hall later this month. From the publicity:

A Lecture by Ill. Alain de Keghel, 33°

Saturday, June 20

Six O’Clock

Masonic Hall, Ionic Room

71 West 23rd Street

New York City

Alain de Keghel

Ill. Keghel will give a talk on Franco-American relations, focusing on Washington, Lafayette, and other historical figures who helped America win independence. Keghel is a well-known and highly respected author and speaker. He also is instrumental in the upcoming visit of the replica of the Hermione, the ship that brought Lafayette to the United States in 1780. Space is limited.


Bro. Keghel is the author of Two Centuries of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite in France, 1804-2004; Freemasonry in North America; and the newly published The Challenge of American Masonry: A Strong Tradition Facing Changes, among other titles.

You may be interested in an exhibit now open through December of next year at Fraunces Tavern Museum titled Lafayette, which features twenty Lafayette-related historical objects owned by the museum, including the Marquis’ pistols and the general’s sash he wore, and bled on, at the Battle of Brandywine.

Courtesy Fraunces Tavern Museum