French Toast: Lafayette & the Making of a Myth
The story of the Marquis de Lafayette’s “Toast that Saved the Nation” is a favorite local tale of how a French general saved the career of General George Washington by proposing a simple toast while dining in the Gates House in York. But how much of is it is really true? Lafayette was in York in January 1778 and met with the Board of War. But his account of the meeting – and the political intrigue surrounding his visit – may surprise you, as will the evidence suggesting that Lafayette may have never even stepped foot inside the Gates House! Scott Butcher extensively researched the event and the growth of the legend surrounding it for his research document, French Toast: Lafayette & the Making of a Myth and discussed the event on White Rose Community Television. This eye-opening presentation will place the story in the proper context, and chart the subsequent growth in the story with each new retelling of it.
Scott has previously given this presentation to the Rotary Club of York – North.
