Remembering
"Lafayette Memories: A Journey Through Time,"
September 8-11, 2007

A dual celebration of the 250th anniversary of the birth of the Marquis de Lafayette and the history of Lafayette Township, NJ - covering the years 1757 to 2007 chronologically, over a four day period. 

The 35 "things to do" below included four free concerts, three free poetry readings, a free dance performance, a free slide show and house tour, two free history presentations, and more, sponsored by several organizations in and around Lafayette, NJ.

Highlights - Day 1, September 8, 2007
Events at Lafayette Mill Antiques Center and at Olde Lafayette Emporium, at "The Junction" at Lafayette

(Above) Bandstand built for the Lafayette Brass Band by the townspeople of Lafayette in 1898.  According to recent research (still in process), it was either torn down or moved sometime between 1906 and 1916.  Photographer unknown.  Band concert below was held on the deck, which would be to the left of the tree and bandstand in the above photo, against the left corner of the long building, now Lafayette Mill Antiques Center.

(Above) The Federal City Brass Band of Baltimore, Maryland performs Concert No. 1 from the deck of the Lafayette Mill Antiques Center, bringing a brass band concert to its traditional site in Lafayette for the first time in over 100 years.  Despite the intense afternoon heat, over 50 attendees became a part of town history by attending this once-in-a-lifetime event.

(Above) Lafayette Preservation Foundation member Alex Everitt presents "Back Roads and Brick Houses," a slide show about Lafayette Township architecture presented at Mabee House that was the opener for Saturday's downtown Lafayette events.

(Above) David Messineo, President of The Six Centuries Club of America, Inc., presents his published speech on "The Importance of the Marquis de Lafayette" at Municipal Hall, before an audience of about 30.  Audience members joined him in reading points from "The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen," the document written by the Marquis de Lafayette that was adapted, adjusted, and which ultimately formed the Bill of Rights of the U.S. Constitution.

Highlights - Day 2, September 9, 2007
Olde Lafayette Village

(Above) As word spread about the band concerts, the audience increased dramatically.  In fact, the combined efforts of The Six Centuries Club, Olde Lafayette Village, and our financial sponsors, led to an audience of about 150 - our best attended event in 20 years of event planning and promotion.  Concert No. 2 of The Federal City Brass Band featured music from the years 1860 to 1917, and included the reconstruction of two songs performed by the Lafayette Cornet Band in 1898.

(Above) A smaller yet equally attentive audience enjoyed David Messineo's history presentation on Lafayette, NJ in the 1920s, and a summation of Lafayette's brass band history, presented above at Antique Photo Store at Olde Lafayette Village, Lafayette, NJ.  Other events at Olde Lafayette Village would continue the chronology through the 1950s.  The day would conclude with a concert and sing-along of music from the 1960s at Lafayette Federated Church that evening.

Highlights - Day 3, September 10, 2007

(Above) New York City poet Eugenia Macer-Story shares original poetry at The Six Centuries Club meeting room.  Monday's "bridge event" covered the years 1970 to 2000 in poetry, music, video, and sound clips.  (Photograph by David Messineo.)

Highlights - Day 4, September 11, 2007

(Above, L-R) A gathering of talents brings the 21st century to life - poets Moira Bailis, Pina Pipino, David Messineo, and Vera Gelvin remember September 11, 2001 with original poetry inspired by the attacks, while 3G (Barry McGuire, Glenn Lewis, and Ron Vreeland) and Stillwater singer/songwriter/guitarist Jonathan Petry offer uplifting, original 21st century music to round out the evening.

SPECIAL THANKS TO JUDY MASSARDO FOR TAKING ALL SEPT 8, 9, AND 11th PHOTOGRAPHS, AND FOR PERMISSION TO PRESENT THEM ON OUR WEBSITE.

DETAILED CHRONOLOGY - FOUR ACTS, FOUR DAYS

ACT ONE:  1757-1857, 10am-7pm
Saturday, September 8, 2007 - 16 "Things to Do"
(Bring folding chairs for the 4pm concert)

1. Before 10:30 am - $ - Breakfast recommendations:  Zinga's Corn Patch, Route 15, Sparta/Lafayette border, if coming from the south.  (French crepes will be added to their offerings for the morning.)  Yetter's Diner, Route 206, Augusta, or Millside Cafe, Morris Farm Road, Lafayette, if coming from the north.
2. 10am - $ - Lafayette/Washington Exhibit - Friar Mountain Model Railroad Museum, 240 Demarest Avenue, Sparta.  $6 admission per adult.  Children under 12 free.  Open until 6pm.  From Route 15, turn onto Demarest Road (turn near Zinga's Corn Patch), then a left at the Museum sign, up the hill to the parking lot.
3. Before 11am - Get a small nature walk into your day, by enjoying the Paulinskill Rail Trail, accessible behind the main building of Lafayette Mill Antique Center.  A short walk from this point will bring you to the pond, where you might be able to view snapping turtles or, if lucky, a great blue heron.  (Watch for the occasional snake - not common, but be on your guard.)
4. 10:30 am - Mabee House open for self-guided tours (until 12:30) - Route 15, Lafayette.  Sponsored by Lafayette Preservation Foundation.  Don't miss the bust of the Marquis de Lafayette, and memorabilia from the 1957 Lafayette 200th celebration.  Heading north, it's the last house on the left side of Route 15 in the downtown, before you reach the bridge and pond.  There is a pedestrian bridge leading to this backyard from the pond parking lot, which makes for a nice walk and some photo opportunities.
5. 11-11:45 am - "Back Roads and Brick Houses," a slide show of historic Lafayette houses offered by noted Lafayette historian Alex Everitt at Mabee House, Route 15, Lafayette.  Enter through the front door.  Sponsored by Lafayette Preservation Foundation.
6. 11:45am-1pm - $ - Lunch recommendation:  Millside Cafe, Morris Farm Rd., Lafayette.  The former General Store can't be beat for its selection of homemade pies, its excellent and reasonably priced lunches, and its late 1800s atmosphere.  Check out the art gallery upstairs if you have a bit of a line before being seated at the Millside Cafe.  Please note that credit cards are not accepted - cash and checks only.  If there is a line, take a moment to go upstairs and browse Art at the Mill Gallery, formerly Armstrong's Hall.
7. 1-2pm - Opening ceremony:  20-minute overview of the life and importance of the Marquis de Lafayette by David Messineo, followed by a public reading of the 1789 document The Declaration of the Rights of Man (the foundation for our Bill of Rights), at Lafayette Township Municipal Building, Morris Farm Road, Lafayette, about 1/8 mile west of Millside Cafe (same street, same side of Route 15, up the hill, on the left).  Sponsored by The Six Centuries Club of America, Inc.  Doors open 12:30pm.
8. 2-2:30pm - Unique photo opportunity:  Take your picture with some animal-shaped topiary, adjoining the porch at Olde Lafayette Emporium.  Then browse stores on the eastern side of Route 15, including Olde Lafayette Emporium, Herb's Antiques, Black Pony Antiques, and Up Country Living.
9. 2:30-3pm - Reading of American poetry from the years 1757 to 1857, along with some poetry in French.  Readers:  David Messineo of Lafayette, NJ, Vera Gelvin of Montclair, NJ, others TBA.  On the porch at Olde Lafayette Emporium, eastern side of Route 15.  Refreshments/limited seating provided.
10. 3:15-3:30pm - Lafayette Look-Alike contest.  Porch of Olde Lafayette Emporium.
11. 3:30-4pm - Browse stores on the western side of Route 15, including Lafayette Mill Antique Center, Sweet P.E.A.'s, Arrowhead Antiques, Art at the Mill Gallery (above Millside Cafe), and The Cona's Antiques, Arts, and Collectibles.  All are a few steps from the site of the Saturday concert location.  Also, check out The Chocolate Goat, on the corner of Rt. 15 and Morris Farm Road.
12. 4-5pm - Federal City Brass Band Concert #1, from the front deck of Lafayette Mill Antique Center.  This free one-hour concert covers the years 1757-1857, featuring songs from the life of the Marquis de Lafayette, including one song performed by the 1847-1848 Lafayette Cornet Band.  This concert return a live brass band to the traditional site of the Lafayette bandstand, for the first time in 100 years.  If you like the band, you can support the band by purchasing one or both of their CDs, which will be available before and after the concert.  PLEASE BRING A FOLDING CHAIR FOR SEATING.  Set chairs up in the white lined area along the handicap ramp, facing the deck.  Do not set up in parking spaces, do not block the lot entrance, or you'll need to move.  Sponsored by Lafayette Mill Antique Center, Millside Cafe, Olde Lafayette Emporium, Black Pony Antiques, Far From Ordinary, Schering-Plough Corporation, and The Six Centuries Club of America.
13. 5-5:30pm - Browse the stores at Lafayette Mill Antique Center and the surrounding area west of Route 15.
14. 5:30-7pm - $ - Annual Pig Roast fundraiser for Lafayette Preservation Foundation, held at Lafayette Township Firehouse, Route 15, about 1/4 mile north of intersection with Morris Farm Road.  Sponsored by Lafayette Preservation Foundation.  Doors open at 5 PM; seating anytime up to 6PM.  Tickets to this event may be purchased by contacting Barbara Cashen at 973-383-5801.  Cost:  $20/adult, $10/child 6-12, free for children 5 and under.  "All you can eat" of pork, hamburgers, hot dogs, homemade salads, and corn.  Beer, soda, and water available.  Cash, or check made payable to "Lafayette Center Preservation Foundation."  To order tickets by mail, send your check to P.O. Box 702, Lafayette, NJ 07848.  A self-addressed mailing label for reply would be appreciated.  ADVANCE TICKET PURCHASE STRONGLY RECOMMENDED.
15. 5:30pm - $ - Dinner recommendation:  if not attending the pig roast fundraiser, and heading home south, consider A&G Pizza, Route 15, just before the Route 94 intersection/traffic light, or Zinga's Corn Patch, at the Sparta/Lafayette border.  If heading home north, The Chatterbox or Yetter's Diner are recommended.
16. Before 6pm - $ - In case you missed it on the way in - Lafayette/Washington Exhibit - Friar Mountain Model Railroad Museum, 240 Demarest Avenue, Sparta.  $6 admission per adult.  Children under 12 free.  GETTING THERE:  From Route 15, turn onto Demarest Road (turn near Zinga's Corn Patch), then a left at the Museum sign, up the hill to the parking lot.

BATHROOM LOCATIONS FOR SATURDAY AFTERNOON:  One portable toilet at the pond area, across the pedestrian bridge behind Mabee House.  One handicap unit and two other units at the back of the Lafayette Mill Antique Center building.  Bathrooms in other locations in downtown Lafayette are available only to paying customers of the respective stores.  One bathroom available at Lafayette Township Municipal Building, open 12:30-2pm.

PARKING FOR SATURDAY AFTERNOON:   In downtown Lafayette, there are five lots available.  Take Route 15, north of the intersection with Morris Farm Road (traffic light).  On the left, one is just north of Lafayette House (the blue sided building).  A second is between the brown sided house and the Mabee House.  A third is north of the Mabee House, at the pond.  A fourth is at the firehouse, recommended only for those attending the annual pig roast that evening.

A fifth lot is available at Lafayette Auto Parts (from Route 15, left at light, pass Cona's on your left and Antique Mill building on your right, then left into gravel lot after bike path entrance).  Please park in the along the building and in the back, and do not park along the entrance driveway, allowing for easy two-way access for larger vehicles.  This is "park-at-your-own risk"; follow our instructions, and reduce the risk of your car getting clipped as people enter and exit the lot.)  Special thanks to Lafayette Auto Parts for this courtesy.

If these 5 lots are all full, a 6th lot is at The Reformed Baptist Church of Lafayette - which involves a steep downhill walk and uphill return, on a street with no sidewalks.  (Special thanks to The Reformed Baptist Church of Lafayette for this courtesy.)  Coming from the north, turn left at the traffic light near Black Pony Antiques, and it is less than 1/4 mile on your right, just after a "Hidden Driveway" sign.  Coming from the south, turn right at the traffic light just after the post office, and it is less than 1/4 mile on your right, just after a "Hidden Driveway" sign.

Parking at Lafayette Mill Antique Center, and parking at The Chocolate Goat, is reserved for their customers - please do not use these lots.  Please use the Municipal Hall lot only if attending the 1pm opening ceremony, as there is limited parking here.

If you have a handicap tag, there are handicap spaces available in all municipal lots.

ACT TWO:  1860-1969, 10am-7pm
Sunday, September 9, 2007 - 11 "Things to Do"
(Bring folding chairs for the noon concert)

1. Before 10 am - $ - Early morning breakfast recommendations for today:  Zinga's Corn Patch, Route 15, Sparta/Lafayette border, if coming from the south, featuring French crepes in honor of the 250th of the Marquis de Lafayette.  Yetter's Diner, Route 206, Augusta, or Millside Cafe, Morris Farm Road, Lafayette, are recommended, if coming from the north.
2. 10am - $ - Lafayette/Washington Exhibit at Friar Mountain Model Railroad Museum, 240 Demarest Avenue, Sparta.  $6 admission per adult.  Children under 12 free.  Open until 5pm.  GETTING THERE:  From Route 15, turn onto Demarest Road (turn near Zinga's Corn Patch), then a left at the Museum sign, uphill to the parking lot.
3. 11am - Craft Fair at Zinga's Corn Patch, Route 15 at Sparta/Lafayette border.  Check out the artisans and have a late breakfast or early lunch.  French crepes will be added to their menu for this weekend.
4. 11:30am - "A Taste of France" at the Farmer's Market, near the Route 15 entrance to Olde Lafayette Village
5. 12-1pm - Federal City Brass Band Concert #2 at Village Hall, Olde Lafayette Village, Route 15, Lafayette.  Sponsored by Olde Lafayette Village and La Maison Joile.  The second free concert by the Maryland-based band includes music from the Civil War era, and music from the end of the 19th century to 1900, including two songs confirmed as performed by the Lafayette Cornet Band in 1888.  PLEASE BRING A FOLDING CHAIR FOR SEATING.  FINDING THE LOCATION WITHIN OLDE LAFAYETTE VILLAGE:  From the Route 15 entrance, turn left, follow straight along the stores until you see Vitamin World, then park in that area.  Walk down the ramp adjoining Olde Village Book Cellar.  The concert will be in front of Village Hall, near the duck pond.  NOTE:  If you like the band, you can support the band by purchasing one or both of their CDs, which will be available before and after the concert.
6. 1-1:30pm - Browse the shops at Olde Lafayette Village.  $ - Highlights:  French pastries at Everything Homemade, truffles at Village Sweets, history books at Olde Village Book Cellar, historic photos at Antique Photo Store, and at La Maison Joile, the opportunity to smell like the Marquis de Lafayette:  cologne given to him by George Washington, still manufactured today, available to order.
7. 1:30-2pm - "Lafayette, New Jersey, 1900-1930," history presentation by David Messineo, President, The Six Centuries Club of America, Inc.  At Antique Photo Store in Olde Lafayette Village, near Lafayette House.  Come view the displayed photos of turn-of-the-century Lafayette, New Jersey, and consider a souvenir.
8. 2pm - $ - Late lunch recommendation:  stay in Olde Lafayette Village and enjoy the food at Everything Homemade or at the Marquis Tavern of Lafayette House.  Lafayette House also has some Marquis de Lafayette memorabilia of interest.  If patronizing the restaurant, it is located near the entrance facing Route 94 - from where you entered, the far side of the restaurant.
9. 3-5pm - "Poetry:  1930s to 1950s" - Olde Village Book Cellar, in Olde Lafayette Village.  Sponsored by Olde Village Book Cellar and hosted by Sensations Magazine.  Poets are asked to bring one short original poem reflective of each decade.  This is the only "open mic" poetry event among the four days of activities.  Readers include David Messineo, Paul Nash, Denise LaNeve, and others to be announced at the venue.  (Olde Village Book Cellar will resume its monthly general poetry reading on Saturday, September 15.)
10. 5:30-7pm - "Grand finale" to the day - "Music of the 1960s" and picnic at Lafayette Federated Church.  Sponsored by Lafayette Federated Church.  Picnic includes drinks and hot dogs, with a donation to the Church for these requested.  GETTING THERE:  Exiting the Olde Lafayette Village parking lot, turn left onto Route 15, heading north.  Drive about a mile, fully past the downtown, and it will be a right turn just after Statesville-Quarry Road, heading up a hill.  If you see Dunkin' Donuts on your left, you've passed the entrance.  Enjoy the great sunset views of the mountains as you listen to popular music of the 1960s, performed by singers with the Lafayette Federated Church choir.  Concert scheduled to start around 6pm, lasting 45-50 minutes.
11. 7-9pm - $ - "Nightcap"/Dessert recommendation:  Stay in that 1950s/1960s mode at The Chatterbox, featuring music and movie posters of the 1950s and 1960s.  Treat yourself to an sundae or egg cream.  From the church, turn right, go about 1/2 mile; you'll can't miss it on your left, after the corn fields.

PARKING AND BATHROOMS FOR SUNDAY:  There is ample parking and bathrooms available at Olde Lafayette Village, Lafayette Federated Church, and The Chatterbox Restaurant.  All offer easy access for individuals who are handicapped or who have walking problems.

ACT THREE:  1970-2000, 6-10pm
Monday, September 10, 2007 - 4 "Things to Do"

1. 6pm - $ - Six Centuries Club members will meet at Bocelli's on Route 15 for dinner at their own expense, preceding the 1970s and 1980s celebration.  Bocelli's is open to the general public, as well.
2. 7-8:45pm - $ - "The 1970s and 1980s" at The Six Centuries Club Research Library in Lafayette, NJ.  Poetry, speeches, and other performances that bring the 1970s and 1980s back to life. This is a private party, only for 2007 members of The Six Centuries Club.  To purchase a 2007 membership, go to www.sensationsmag.com, "Join" button, and join via PayPal.  Feature performers include Vera Gelvin, Steven H. Koenig, Eugenia Macer-Story, David Messineo Chris Stillmank, and others to be announced.
3. 9pm on - $ - Celebrate the 1990s with "Glow Pool" at Green Room Billiard Parlor, Route 15, near the Sparta/Lafayette border.  Sponsored by Green Room Billiard Parlor and Zinga's Corn Patch.  Admission $10 per person.  Concessions, including ice cream, provided by Zinga's Corn Patch at additional charge.  Glow-in-the-dark bowling was popularized in the 1990s near New York University.  Here, you get that 1990s feeling with a game of glow-in-the-dark pool, in a clean facility under new management.  While members of The Six Centuries Club will be arriving around 9pm, the facility will be open at 6pm.  Anyone, Club member or not, may participate in this event.
4. Conclusion of the evening:  David Messineo performs his poem "Millennium Turning:  Egypt," bringing us to the year 2000.

ACT FOUR:  2001-2007, 6:30-8:30pm
Tuesday, September 11, 2007 - 4 "Things to Do"

1. 5-6:30pm - $ - Dinner recommendation:  Sensations Magazine poets will meet early for dinner at Farmstead Golf & Country Club, Sunset Inn Road, Lafayette.  Burgers, hot dogs, wraps, salads, and sandwiches are all available, most around $7.  GETTING THERE:  Route 15 heading north, turn left onto Sunset Inn Road/Route 623, Route 15 heading south, turn right onto Sunset Inn Road/Route 623.  Lakeland Bank and a gas station are on corners of this intersection.  Once you've made the turn, follow Sunset Inn Road for just over 3 miles, until you see the Farmstead sign on your left at the Mile 1 sign.  Make the sharp left turn, park, go to the main building, through the white archway, through the second set of doors, and into the 28th Hole Restaurant.  The back staircase (at the far end of the restaurant) is the one to take upstairs to the Carriage Room for the performance.
    
2. "The 21st Century," in Five Acts (6:30-8:30pm)

Act 1, 6:30-7:15:  "Remembering September 11, 2001:  A Memorial Poetry Reading."  Free.  Sponsored by The Six Centuries Club.  Nine poets, eleven poems, on 9/11.  Feature poets:  David Messineo, Moira Bailis, Mary Florio, Vera Gelvin, Steven H. Koenig, Pina Pipino, and three others to be represented.  "On September 11, 2001, you witnessed the start of the 21st century."  David Messineo's moving opening poem, "Cleaning the Fireplace:  Ludlow, Vermont" features that line.  Through his art and those of his fellow poets, we start the evening by taking some time to remember the events, and honor the innocent lives lost, on September 11, 2001 in an unusual way - through poetry, both graphic in its nature and moving in its intensity - then shift into a celebration of the 21st century, in dance and spirit-lifting music.

Act 2, 7:15-7:45, "Remembering Hope, Through Dance."  Free.  Sponsored by the Branchville Dance Centre Dance Company.  Group dances are "Snow" (a ballet piece), "Why" (a lyrical piece), and "Jubilation" (a modern piece).  Solos are "Enjoy the Silence," danced by Megan Primo; "Feelin Groovy," danced by Anna Porter; and "L'Oisseau," danced by Kristen Carafello.  Members of the full company dancing this evening, in alphabetical order, are:  Brittany Anello, Ellie Calvert, Kristen Carafello, Alexa Falvey, Gina Emering, Victoria Holowienka, Paige Lucciola, Emma Matthews, Kelsey Moszkiewicz, Anna Porter, Megan Primo, Lauren Pulkstenis, Katherine Rossi, Allyson Ryan, Samantha Silverman, Samantha Simmons, Taylor Welsh, and Shaina Wire.

Act 3, 7:45-8:05, Jonathan Petry.  The talented young singer/guitarist from Stillwater offers five original acoustic songs out of the following six:  "Hey, Julie," "Land and Sea," "Same Ground As You," "No Man's Land," "Love Lost Between the Cracks," and "Birds with Homes."

Act 4, 8:05-8:25, 3G.  The Stanhope-based trio - Barry McGuire, Glenn Lewis, and Ron Vreeland - offer a variety of original songs.

Act 5, 8:25:  A quote from the Marquis de Lafayette, regarding "the fifth act," as our conclusion to the four-day celebration.

OUR THANKS TO ALL OUR PERFORMERS FOR VOLUNTEERING THEIR SERVICES ON TUESDAY EVENING, AT NO CHARGE TO THE PUBLIC.  - END OF SCHEDULE PRINTING -

NOTES TO SEPTEMBER 11, 2007 PERFORMERS

1.  NOTE TO MUSICIANS:  MUSICIANS WITH ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT SHOULD SET UP AND DO SOUND CHECKS BETWEEN 4:30 AND 5:30PM.  ALL INSTRUMENTS AND MICROPHONES MUST BE SET UP NO LATER THAN 6:15PM.

2.  NOTE TO FEATURE POETS:  ALL POETS MUST ARRIVE NO LATER THAN 6:15PM.

3.  NOTE TO DANCERS:  PLEASE ARRIVE IN TIME FOR THE POETRY PORTION AT 6:30PM.  YOUR EVENT WILL TAKE PLACE APPROXIMATELY 7:15PM, BUT COULD BE EARLIER IF THE READING ENDS EARLIER.

VISUALIZING "LAFAYETTE MEMORIES: A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME"

THE FEDERAL CITY BRASS BAND
VISITING FROM BALTIMORE, MARYLAND
SATURDAY SEPT 8, 4-5PM, LAFAYETTE MILL ANTIQUE CENTER
SUNDAY SEPT 9, NOON, OLDE LAFAYETTE VILLAGE

THE LAFAYETTE MILL ANTIQUE CENTER.
LOCATION OF THE SATURDAY BRASS BAND CONCERT.
BANDSTAND AND TREE BEHIND IT ARE NOW HISTORY.

OLDE LAFAYETTE VILLAGE, LAFAYETTE, NJ
LOCATION OF SUNDAY'S EVENTS, 11:30AM-5PM

LAFAYETTE FEDERATED CHURCH, ROUTE 15, LAFAYETTE, NJ
LOCATION OF SUNDAY'S EVENT, 5:30-7PM

FARMSTEAD GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB, LAFAYETTE/ANDOVER BORDER
LOCATION OF TUESDAY'S EVENTS, 5-9PM

THE PERFORMANCE SPACE:  THE CARRIAGE ROOM AT FARMSTEAD GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
LOCATION OF TUESDAY'S "GRAND FINALE," 6:30-9PM

MEMBERS OF THE BRANCHVILLE DANCE CENTRE DANCE COMPANY

THEN STAY WITH THE SIX CENTURIES CLUB FROM 2008 TO 2010, AS WE TRAVEL THROUGH 600 YEARS OF "AMERICAN" HISTORY

Through history presentations, poetry readings, and other events, starting in 2008, The Six Centuries Club of America has been formed to reinterpret and reanalyze 600 years of "American" history, from "the pre-United States days" of the 1500s, to the possibilities up to the year 2100--chronologically, with a special emphasis on the "unwritten histories" of women and minorities of all kinds.  Publication dates and upcoming theme issues of Sensations Magazine, our publication, are as follows:

Sensations Magazine has won awards for its research, and the Publisher is a subject-matter expert in the areas of  16th and 17th century American poetry.  The goal is to find, and publicly present, first-person accounts written as things were happening.  In short, getting away from the recitation of facts, dates, and places, and into the emotions and mindsets of the time periods, in order to bring history alive - in ways that are far more interesting!  Presentations will be at The Six Centuries Club Research Library, now located in the historic village of Lafayette.

Again, if you would like to learn about America in the 1500s or 1600s, or share your passion for history with like-minded people, please join us as a 2008 member, and come to our presentations and readings, which are always announced on the "Attend" button of this website.  With gas prices hovering around $2.75/gallon, here's some inexpensive and unusual educational entertainment - held locally here in Sussex County.

DAVID MESSINEO - SEPTEMBER 2007
PRESIDENT, THE SIX CENTURIES CLUB OF AMERICA, INC.
PUBLISHER/POETRY EDITOR, SENSATIONS MAGAZINE

"In the present state of affairs, my dear general, I hope you will come yourself to Virginia, and that, if the French army moves this way, I will have, at least, the satisfaction of beholding you myself at the head of the combined armies. In two days I will write again to your excellency, and keep you particularly and constantly informed, unless something is done the very moment (and it will probably be difficult). Lord Cornwallis must be attacked with pretty great apparatus. But when a French fleet takes possession of the bay and rivers, and we form a land force superior to his, that army must, sooner or later, be forced to surrender, as we may get what reinforcements we please."

- M. de Lafayette, Letter to General Washington, from the Forks of York River, August 21, 1781.  With this letter, encouraging Washington to give up plans to attack New York and instead bring his troops to Virginia, the Marquis de Lafayette played the leading directorial role in bringing all the elements together, in one place, to draw the American Revolution to a close after six long and agonizing years.

Washington took Lafayette's advice, and brought his troops to join the French at Yorktown.  As the Marquis correctly predicted on August 21, that act of joining the French forces, combined with the French fleet in the bay, landlocked Cornwallis and the British troops, leading to the surrender of the British, and America's corresponding independence. 

Good thing, too - Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown, Virginia on October 19, 1781.  The French fleet was committed to leave for the West Indies on October 31.  Had Cornwallis been able to hold out longer, the French fleet would have left.  The British troops at Yorktown then could have escaped by water with assistance from the British fleet (holed up in New York, on the Hudson River), and the American Revolution could have dragged on much longer - and possibly with a different outcome. 

In short, the difference between America gaining its independence from Great Britain, or continuing as The United Provinces of Britain for an unknown duration of time, was a simple matter of just twelve days.  Twelve days.  That point is almost never taught in America's schools, nor is this additional fact:  in October 1781, the Marquis de Lafayette, the man who coordinated the end of the American Revolution, was only 24 years old.

That is just one of the reasons we are celebrating the 250th anniversary of the birth of the Marquis de Lafayette in Lafayette, NJ - the first town, city, or township in America named "Lafayette" in honor of the Marquis.  To learn a few other reasons, please attend the opening ceremony on Saturday, September 8, 1pm, at Lafayette Township Municipal Hall.  Hope to see you there!