L’Hermione Reception and Recreation at Tall Ships Exhibition

A replica of the 18th century frigate L'Hermione arrived on Thursday afternoon and was docked at Penn's Landing over the weekend as part of the Tall Ships traveling exhibition. A 216-foot-long, 1,260-ton replica of the 18th-century French frigate, which took the Marquis de Lafayette on his second journey to the United States during the Revolutionary War, is visiting Philadelphia during a tour of the East Coast.

From left: Estelle Bouhraoua and Sandrine Pailloncy

Chris and Carrie Jacquin

Steve and Jackie Jacquin told me they saw the story of the L'Hermione re-creation on CBS Morning with Charles Osgood a few months back.

From left: James Gerhard IV, Anthony Morris VII (in back) and Francis Bowden III aboard the French replica frigate L'Hermione. They'll be walking with their color guard at the July 4th Parade on Saturday.

From left: Tom Ellis, Terri Catalle and Gretchen Wisehart on the French replica frigate L'Hermione

Donald and Regina Harkins on board the French replica frigate L'Hermione.

From left: Susan Brooks, Linda Sommer, Diane Chec and Vro Boudaud on board the French replica frigate L'Hermione.

John and Christine Van Horne on board the French replica frigate L'Hermione.

Yann Cariou (left), captain of the French tall ship L'Hermione (a recreation), which arrived in Philadelphia on Thursday as part of the Tall Ships celebration, and Councilman Mark Squilla on board the L'Hermione on Friday night at a cocktail party to celebrate the arrival of the ship in Philadelphia as Judi Kilachand, Asia Society, looks on.

After cocktails on the L'Hermione, guests enjoyed a reception at City Tavern's courtyard. Joan and Curt Byerley were there.

From left: Benedict Donnelly, Président de l'Association Hermione Lafayette; Le Marquis de Lafayette, played by first-person interpreter Benjamin Goldman, who brings his role to life; and André Liébot, President chez Groupe Liebot,

National Park Service Superintendent Cynthia MacLeod and Chef Walter Staib with the plate presented to him by Benedict Donnelly, Président de l'Association Hermione Lafayette.

Jorge DuQuesne and daughter Daniela DuQuesne

Brian Patterson, Bear Clan Representative of Oneida Nation, tells the story of how the Oneida Nation helped out the French during the American Revolutionary war, as both sides were assisting the colonials in their fight for independence against the British. Looking on is George Washington, Marquis de Lafayette and Yann Cariou, captain of the French tall ship L'Hermione

The dinner was prepared by Chef Walter Staib who tells the guest about each course that is being served. Staib is culinary ambassador to the voyage, and he had filmed a PBS special on board the ship in June 2014 in Rochefort, France, in anticipation of this voyage. He is preparing a similar re-enactment dinner in Boston on July 11.

A replica of the 18th century frigate L'Hermione (l) docked at Penn's Landing over the weekend as part of the Tall Ships traveling exhibition.