French Azilum facts for kids
French Azilum (which means "French Asylum" in French) was a special town built way back in 1793. It was created in a wild part of Bradford County, Pennsylvania as a safe place for French people who had to leave their homes.
These people were fleeing two big events. Some were escaping the French Revolution, a time when France was changing a lot, and the king and queen were in danger. Others came from a French island colony called Saint-Domingue (which is now Haiti), where enslaved people were fighting for their freedom.
Some kind and important people from Philadelphia, like Stephen Girard and Robert Morris, felt sorry for the refugees. They also thought it might be a good idea for business. So, in 1793, they helped buy a huge piece of land – about 1,600 acres – in Pennsylvania.
They planned a town on 300 acres of this land. It had a market square, wide streets, and over 400 building lots. About 30 log houses were quickly built. A small number of French exiles arrived that autumn. Many were loyal to King Louis XVI and were trying to escape danger. There's even a legend that Queen Marie Antoinette and her children were supposed to come and live here!
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Life in the New French Town
Life in French Azilum quickly began to take shape. Soon, the town had small shops, a school where children could learn, a chapel for worship, and even a theater for entertainment in the market square.
People worked hard to build a community. They built a gristmill to grind grain, a blacksmith shop to make and fix metal tools, and a distillery. They raised cattle and sheep for food and wool. They also planted fruit trees and gardens to grow their own food.
The Grand House
The biggest building in French Azilum was called La Grande Maison, which means "The Big House." It was a large, two-story log building, about 84 feet long and 60 feet wide. Some people believed it was meant for the Queen, but this was never proven.
La Grande Maison was the center of social life. Many important gatherings and parties happened there. Famous visitors, like Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord (who was a French diplomat) and Louis Phillipe (who later became the King of the French), were welcomed and entertained in this grand house.
Why French Azilum Ended
The special French town didn't last forever. In the late 1790s, some of the important people who had helped start the town, like Robert Morris, ran into money problems. Also, money from France stopped coming.
Because of these issues, many of the French exiles started to move away. Some went to bigger cities in the southern United States, like Charleston or New Orleans. Others returned to Saint-Domingue. After Napoleon came to power in France, he made it possible for many exiles to return home, and a lot of them did.
However, some families chose to stay in Pennsylvania, including the LaPortes, Homets, LeFevres, Brevosts, and D'Autremonts. By 1803, French Azilum had become a part of history.
French Azilum Today
Today, none of the original buildings from French Azilum are still standing. The land where the houses and gardens once were is now mostly farmland.
However, you can still visit and learn about this unique place! The LaPorte House, built in 1836 by the son of one of the town's founders, is now a house museum. It has beautiful painted ceilings and decorations that show the French style.
You can also see an original foundation from one of the old buildings, which has been uncovered for visitors. A reconstructed log cabin from the 1790s also serves as a small museum. You can take guided tours of the LaPorte House during certain times of the year, or explore over 20 acres of the original settlement on your own.
French Azilum is looked after by a non-profit group called French Azilum, Inc., which started in 1954. The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission also helps manage it.
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