According to The Genealogical History of Reading, βGeneral Lafayette, in his visit to this country in 1825, passed through this town on his way to Concord, N.H. He stopped at the hotel that stood where the bank building now stands, for half an hour or so. He made a short address to a crowd of the citizens that came to see and welcome him. The General was attended by another French gentleman and several carriages containing other distinguished parties.β
Program for June 21st, 2025
-9:00 am, Arrival of carriage at 643 Main Street, Reading, MA
-Welcome by Peter Maguire
-Address by Alan Hoffman, President of the American Friends of Lafayette
-Short address by Peter Maguire on the 50-year friendship between the Reading town doctor and Minute Man commander, John Brooks, and General Lafayette.
-Address by General Lafayette.
-Carriage continues down side street to the Senior Center to be picked up.
After General Lafayette visited Reading he continued to Methuen on his way to Concord, NH. There was mention he was traveling the Concord Turnpike. Has that route been replaced by Route 28? If so, where did it go from and to?
Goggling turnpikes in MA and NH do not list a turnpike between Reading, Methuen, and Concord, NH.