Head of School Jenny Rao joined representatives from Russell Sage College and the Hart Cluett Museum to speak to a gathering of community members (including Emma Willard alumnae) at the original site of Troy Female Seminary (now Russell Sage College). Ms. Rao was joined by a reenactor portraying General Lafayette as she lay a wreath at the statue of Emma Hart Willard, symbolizing the special connection between Lafayette and Willard. It is believed that the General gave Madame Willard a bouquet of a dozen pink roses during their meeting as a sign of his admiration and respect. She presented him with a bound copy of the address she made to the New York State legislature, “A Plan for Improving Female Education,” which first captured the vision for the school she founded. 

“These two important figures in history shared a passion for ‘female education,’” Ms. Rao shared. The day Lafayette visited Troy was the beginning of a friendship that flourished through written correspondence and visits to France during Madame Willard’s travels. “Today, 200 years after that auspicious meeting, we present another bouquet of roses to honor our founder—whose enduring legacy we admire and respect to this day and every day at Emma Willard School—and to remember her friend, Marquis de Lafayette.”

 

Later in the day, members of the Emma Willard School community gathered with alumnae and interested friends to learn more about the unique connection between Emma Willard and Lafayette. Archivist Stephanie Ross presented a few items from the school’s collections and highlighted letters that are held in other collections. The group studied a copy of an 1833 letter that Madame Willard wrote to Lafayette; Cornell University holds the original. 

 

History Instructor Dr. John Riley gave a brief history of Lafayette’s fascinating life and his involvement in the American Revolution, which precipitated the national feeling of adoration toward the Frenchman. “The visit is auspicious for a number of reasons,” Dr. Riley shared. “First, because of his youth at the time of the revolution, he was the last surviving continental army general. He was also one of the last surviving people who served directly with Washington. [...] He represented something they had almost lost; the founding generation is all but gone, and Lafayette was the last tangible link to them.” 

This incredible swell of sentiment made Lafayette’s visit one of utmost importance throughout the nation. It was a great honor that Lafayette diverted from his planned itinerary to respond to an invitation from the women of Troy to come to Troy Female Seminary, where they had prepared a special greeting for him. Dr. Riley described reports that Lafayette was moved to tears upon hearing the words Emma Hart Willard wrote for the occasion, sung to him by her pupils. He asked that three copies be sent to his daughters.

During Morning Reports on Friday, September 20, Dr. Riley delivered a similar presentation to the student body, explaining the significance of the connection that an “international superstar” like Lafayette had with the founder of their school. 

The Lafayette Bicentennial provided a captivating reminder of Emma Willard School’s rich history of leading, serving, and shaping our world. Read more about the history of Emma Willard here.

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To see more pictures from the Lafayette bicentennial celebration, visit our SmugMug.