The area will have a deja vu moment from 200 years ago in the coming days, with reenactments of the Marquis de Lafayette’s visit taking place in several Hampshire County communities, including on Friday in Worthington, and on Saturday in Northampton and Belchertown.

This comes as part of a domino effect of celebrations that follow the French general’s trip through the state in June of 1825. At the time, the general was already on an almost yearlong, 24-state tour of the entire United States. With an invitation from President James Monroe, this tour was his “Farewell Tour,” marking the 50th anniversary year of the American Revolution, which Lafayette assisted in winning against the British.

Throughout his travels he was welcomed as a “rock star,” according to Donna Helm of the Daughters of the American Revolution, who added that more people welcomed him in New York than welcomed the Beatles in the 1960s.

Like most people, organizers in the area didn’t know much about the man when planning began nine months ago. Pamela Wicinas, who organized Worthington’s celebration, knew he was French and that he visited the town. But over the course of planning she learned how he is an embodiment of “American values.”

“He was a proponent for the importance of a constitution, and education for everyone, including women,” she said. “He was also an abolitionist.”

“What an important and timely thing to learn about,” said Wicinas.

Helm, likewise, didn’t know much about the general before planning the event in Northampton, which also includes a display on Lafayette in the Forbes library that ends Friday. But she now realizes how intrinsic Lafayette was to the American cause of winning the Revolutionary War.

“He got funds for soldiers and got the French to send the navy – these are things we didn’t have,” she said.

She also notes that George Washington considered Lafayette to be his adopted son.

Lafayette even urged Washington to free his slaves, and because of his urging, Washington released all his slaves at his death, although his wife’s slaves were not freed.

“He was just way ahead of his time,” said Helm.

Lafayette was making his through Massachusetts en route to Bunker Hill, to lay a stone for a monument, starting in Pittsfield. Communities along his route east are commemorating his journey with events across the state in the coming days. 

Worthington

Worthington will host one of the biggest celebrations in the state, aside from that which will take place at Bunker Hill.

On June 13, 1825 Lafayette was in Pittsfield, and stopped in Dalton before pulling up to the Pierce Tavern in Worthington, where the Public Library is currently located.

This is where Worthington will hold its commemoration. According to Helm, it is said that people waited for his arrival even though he was late. “And they still partied when he got there,” she said.

To commemorate this party, a period costume-optional grand ball will be held Friday in a tent alongside Worthington Town Hall. It will feature traditional music and dance of the era, and a visit by Lafayette who will be played by reenactor Mark Schneider, who portrays Lafayette in Colonial Williamsburg. There will also be a video message from Gov. Maura Healey.

Tickets must be purchased ahead of time and are $20.

Earlier in the day, at 1 p.m., a trail marker will be erected at the library commemorating the 200th anniversary of Lafayette’s visit.

After he stayed the night in Worthington, Lafayette woke up, and headed Chesterfield, followed by a trip to Northampton.

Northampton

After stopping at the Round Hill School in Paradise City, which was only briefly in existence, Lafayette spoke at the Northampton Meetinghouse, which was at the corner of King and Main streets where the Hampshire County Courthouse is currently located. There is a boulder outside commemorating the location.

According to Helm, when Lafayette was in the city he ate at the Warner House on Main Street, which no longer stands.

On Saturday, a celebration of the event will take place followed by light refreshments in Northampton’s Historic Clapp House. Colonial-style or patriotic attire is optional.

Belchertown

Lafayette showed up to Belchertown at 2 p.m. on June 14, the same time he will be commemorated at the Stone House Museum on this Saturday, where 19th century history will be in the spotlight with art and demonstrations from the Colonial era.

According to Sally Shattuck, organizer of Belchertown’s event and a trustee of the Belchertown Historical Society, said that 200 years ago Susanna Dwight Shaw of Belchertown danced with Lafayette and kept the gloves she wore to hand down to her daughter. The daughter, Susan, who later married Belchertown’s Calvin Bridgman, was kissed by Lafayette when she presented him with a bouquet of flowers.

After Belchertown, Lafayette left Hampshire County. Celebrations will continue to go east, following his trail 200 years ago, with celebrations scheduled in Worcester, Charlestown and Reading.

Samuel Gelinas can be reached at sgelinas@gazettenet.com.