Celebrate the Hermione, “Lafayette’s Freedom Frigate,” on June 26th,
at a Reenactment of the Continental Congress Dinner that took place in 1781.
Tour & Cocktails on board the Hermione with Dinner at City Tavern
On June 26th, 2015, when the Hermione’s full scale replica will be moored in Independence Seaport,
a reenactment of an historic 18th century culinary celebration will take place at Philadelphia’s famed
City Tavern Restaurant. It is a dinner recreation of a famous lunch that took place on May 4th, 1781,
when the then Captain of the Hermione, La Touche-Treville, invited Samuel Huntington, the then
President of the Continental Congress, and the whole Congressional delegation for lunch on board of
the Hermione…They stayed for hours in what turned into a boisterous dockside dining extravaganza.
The Friends of Hermione-Lafayette in America, Inc., Moët Hennessy, Founding Partner of the
Hermione Voyage 2015, and Chef Walter Staib, creator and host of the award winning PBS television
show, “A Taste of History”, and owner of City Tavern, have joined creative energies to commemorate
that historic day in 1781. Staib, an authority on Colonial American cuisine, has created a menu
reinterpreted from detailed historical documents and late 18th century recipes of ‘the era of Lafayette’.
The evening begins with a tour of the Hermione by Captain Yann Cariou, and a specialty Hennessy
‘Cur Non’ Cocktail, named for Marquis de Lafayette’s family motto, and translates to “Why Not?”
Guests will then transport to City Tavern for a celebratory dinner with French & American
dignitaries, leaders of Philadelphia’s business, academic and heritage communities, and friends and
clients. Period-costumed reenators and strolling musicians will add to the spirit of the evening,
which will end with a toast to the determination of the 21-year old Marquis de Lafayette, and to the
Hermione, as she continues her symbolic 2015 tour up the east coast. The Hermione left France April
18th and is sailing 3,819 miles to land in Yorktown, June 5th. She will stop in 12 iconic ports along the
eastern seaboard for a summer of activities on board and pier side.
Miles Young, President of Friends of Hermione-Lafayette in America, Inc. and Worldwide CEO and
Chairman of Ogilvy & Mather, invites you to sponsor this unique and festive dinner reenactment.
Honorary Chair, Robert A. “Bob” Brady U.S. Representative for Pennsylvania
& County Chairman of the Philadelphia Democratic City Committee
is pleased to welcome the Hermione to Philadelphia.
Special Guest:
Laura Auricchio, Author & Biographer, The Marquis: Lafayette Reconsidered
Dean, School of Undergraduate Studies, The New School
Sponsorship opportunities
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Event Sponsorship: $25,000 to host event and invite 80 guests
Table Sponsorship: $5,000 for a table of 10 guests
Dinner Guest: $250 for an individual ticket
Event Sponsorship Benefits
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Head table seat for 2 executives
Introduce guest of honor
All Table Sponsorship benefits
Table Sponsorship Benefits
• A private cocktail - VIP tour on board the Hermione before dinner
• Dedicated brand placement during the evening as Event/Table Sponsor
• Brand placement in local press release
• Brand placement on the Hermione website and via Hermione’s social media platforms
(a reach of millions in the U.S. and abroad)
• Hyperlink to Sponsor’s website
For more information about the Hermione Voyage 2015 & Events, please visit
www.Hermione2015.com,
Or contact Judi Kilachand, the Executive Director of the
Friends of Hermione-Lafayette in America, Inc., at [email protected].
Friends of Hermione-Lafayette in America, Inc., is a 501(c) 3 non-for-profit organization
This page, photo left,The Continental Congress; right, Samuel Huntington;
Page one, images left and right courtesy of Association Hermione-La Fayette; center, courtesy City Tavern