A chair that was sat in by Marquis de LaFayette at The Thomas G. Abell Inn will be featured at the Barker Museum in Fredonia.

The marker states, “LaFayette’s Tour on June 4, 1825. General LaFayette was welcomed at the Abell Hotel, where he reviewed Troops and enjoyed breakfast before departing.” This visit was a result of an invitation by President Monroe to LaFayette. His return started in August of 1824 and ended in September of 1825. Bicentennial Events began in August 2024 and will continue to September 2025 across the country with “LaFayette” retracing his 1824-1825 visit.

On June 3, 1825, the Marquis de La Fayette was supposed to pass through the Village of Fredonia in the evening hours. It was not his intention to stop in Fredonia as he was on his way to Dunkirk to board a steamer to Buffalo. He arrived finally in the early morning hours of June 4. Crowds had gathered in the commons in Fredonia which was lit with torches and there were candles in the windows. Among the crowd were Revolutionary War Veterans who had served with Lafayette. The Thomas G. Abell Inn was on the site at the present day 1 Park Place. Lafayette was invited to spend time at the Inn, would rest and have a meal.

Fast forward to 2024.

In 2023 I made a phone call to Jonathan Foster, former acquaintance and 1963 Fredonia High School graduate. We had not spoken in perhaps 60 years. During the conversation on different subjects Jonathan asked what I had been doing recently. I mentioned attending the Lafayette Marker ceremony and he said that he had the chair that Lafayette had sat in at the Abell Hotel.

Also, the Abell family was related to the early Foster family in Fredonia. Eunice Abell married Elijah Foster and were both working at the Hotel during LaFayette’s visit. They had their own Inn in Stateline. Jonathan stated, “I imagine that Eunice grabbed the chair when their guest left”. The “dining room” chair is a country piece of furniture, used by the Abell Hotel and some of the parts are clearly a part of a branch.

I then informed Jonathan of the Lafayette Bicentennial events being held in Fredonia in 2025. I encouraged him to donate the chair to the museum. He also told me he had boxes of other items to go through and has since made more donations to the Museum.

According to Jonathan, the chair was never lost. Quote: It was passed down 5 generations and cherished by us all. It was kept in “museum quality “surroundings, as in, no sitting was allowed. I had the Barker Museum in my mind, and this was a good time to gift it.

I encourage everyone to consider donating historical items or other items of interest to their local Historical Museums, local historians, and genealogical societies, before the stories and items are lost.

Marquis de Lafayette Bicentennial

Celebration Events 2025 in Fredonia

— View the LaFayette Chair, Saturday at the Barker Historical Museum’s Grand Opening of the Lafayette Bicentennial Exhibition.

— Sunday June1 enjoy “Tea with the Marquis” at 2 p.m. at the historic Grange Building 58 W. Main in Fredonia. Ticketed event. Contact bllark@yahoo.com

Tuesday, June 3, Historical Reenactment and Festival at Barker Commons, Fredonia.

— 5:15 to 5:30 p.m., performance of Yankee Doodle by the Boy & Girls Club Ensemble.

— 5:30 to 5:50 p.m., Ballet performance-Infinity Dance Academy

— 5:50 to 6 p.m. Drum & Fife performance,Fredonia High School Ensemble

— 6 to 6:20 p.m., LaFayette with reenactments by the Sons of the American Legion and local Daughters of the American Revolution Chapters

— 6:30 to 8 p.m., Musical Performance

Wednesday, June 4

— 7:30 p.m., Period Barn Dance at Grange 1, 53 W. Main St.

Thursday, June 5 “Georges Lafayette Washington” (son of the Marquis). Lecture presentation by Paul Sheeler at 7 Day St. Fredonia