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CHAMPLAIN MEMORIAL
On May 3, 1912, the exquisite bronze relief “La France,” one of Rodin’s characteristic works, was affixed to the Champlain Memorial Lighthouse by a French delegation headed by Guillaume Hanoteaux, former French Minister of Foreign Affairs and a member of l’Académie Française. It was given by the French Republic, in memory of Samuel de Champlain, who was the first European to discover the Lake in July, 1609, and stands as a noble testimony to the friendship of two great nations and their abiding respect for enduring traditions. A grant of $7,500 was given by FHS’s Boston Chapter to fund the restoration work of the bronze relief.
The construction of the lighthouse memorial was a joint effort of the States of New York and Vermont as part of the 300th Anniversary celebration of Champlain’s “discovery.” The Rodin piece will be re-dedicated at the 400th Anniversary of Lake Champlain on September 19, 2009.
REMEMBERING THE VICTIMS OF 9/11
To commemorate the significance of the events of September 11, 2001, French
Heritage Society, in collaboration with the French Senate, organized what was the
most important ceremony in France. Madame Chirac, with the President of the
French Senate and the official representative of the U.S. Ambassador, presided
over a planting of the U.S. national oak tree, which they sprinkled with ashes
from the three sites which were hit on 9/11 , in the Luxembourg gardens, close
to a replica of the Statue of Liberty. New York City Firefighters and Police officers,
along with families of the victims, attended the ceremony, with the entire American
community in Paris and many French dignitaries, standing together in a gesture
of solidarity. In 2006, a second ceremony was organized to commemorate the
fifth anniversary of 9/11.
LOUISIANA PURCHASE
In 2003, a Symposium was held in New Orleans to commemorate the bicentennial of
the Louisiana Purchase, a key event in the histories of both the United States and France. By
the purchase of this vast expanse of land, comprising what is now 13 states, the young nation
doubled its territory. A message of appreciation and friendship from the President of the French
Republic, Monsieur Jacques Chirac, was delivered by French Heritage Society President Marie-Sol
de La Tour d'Auvergne.
THE AMERICAN GROVE
Following devastating wind storms that destroyed 10,000 trees in the park of the
Château de Versailles in 1999, French Heritage Society undertook a campaign to
create a grove of American trees near the Petit Hameau of Marie-Antoinette as a
symbol of American concern and sympathy. FHS brought together officials of the
various state forest departments, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, custom
officials, and the gardeners of the château, who worked together to organize this
meaningful tribute to French-American friendship. The grove was dedicated in a
ceremony attended by the American Ambassador to France, Howard L. Leach,
on October 22, 2001
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