As the bicentennial approaches of General Marquis de Lafayette’s June 1825 farewell tour, the Bristol Hills Historical Society welcomes Christopher Carosa, author of the new book History Unleashed: Lafayette’s Remarkable Tour of the Greater Western New York Region. Hear how the French hero of the American Revolution made his way from Rochester through Mendon and Bloomfield to Canandaigua and Geneva: where he stayed, whom he met, what the Canandaigua Main Street parade for him looked like – and even the mythical claims by many more sites along the route that later claimed: “Lafayette stayed here.” As Lafayette’s entourage traversed what was still largely frontier wilderness, he encountered what the book’s publisher calls “a vibrant tapestry of cultures, communities, and pivotal moments in American history. From his encounters with Native American tribes to his interactions with settlers and soldiers, Lafayette’s journey illuminates the rich history of the region and its profound impact on the shaping of a nation.” Free and open to the public.

Press:

Bristol Hills Historical Society

Canandaigua-Naples-Genesee Valley Penny Saver, February 21, 2025, page 8

Eastway-Genesee Valley Penny Saver, February 7, 2025, page 11

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