WESTFIELD AREA — The Westfield Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) cohosted the “Welcome Back To Elizabeth Lafayette Reception” on September 23, with the American Friends of Lafayette and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) Historic Site, Boxwood Hall, to mark the bicentennial of General Lafayette’s Farewell Tour of the United States in 1824 and 1825.
Many dignitaries attended, including Elizabeth Mayor J. Christian Bollwage, NJSDAR Regent Diane Oliver, Westfield Chapter DAR Regent Mary Anne Healy-Rodriguez, NJDEP Director Mark Texel, Crossroads of the American Revolution Director Carrie Fellows, NJDEP Superintendent Tanya Dinova, NSDAR Franco-American Committee Chair Patti McClay, American Friends of Lafayette President Chuck Schwam and Lafayette Trail President Julien Icher.
Each offered remarks about the importance of General Lafayette’s service as a major general in the Continental Army and how beloved he was not only in 1824-1825 but to the present day. New Jersey Society, Sons of the American Revolution Color Guard member Chris Sands led the attendees in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. “General Lafayette” himself thanked the crowd outside of Boxwood Hall as he made a grand entrance.
Each of the dignitaries thanked the Westfield Chapter DAR for collaborating with the other co-host organizations to produce the sold-out event and to treat the attendees to three tables adorned with flower arrangements and offerings of finger sandwiches, various appetizers, Martha Washington’s hasty pudding and cookies. Lafayette Reception DAR Committee Chair Julie Diddell, who loaned the event a large portrait of Lafayette, commended the Westfield Chapter and Committee members, including MaryAnne Healy-Rodriguez, Lorene Knierim, Samantha Knierim, Jessica Gonzalez, Pat Colbert, Gayle Lechner, Adah Levin, Janet Sangekar, Lisa Kane, Barbara Benko, Sharon Stockwell, Stephanie Mannino, and Middletown Chapter member Serena Schreiber, for the food and their months of hard work.
The Lafayette exhibit items remained on display for public viewing at Boxwood Hall through October.
