About Us

Susan "Suzy" Joy is a Daughter of the American Revolution and a distant cousin of the Marquis de Lafayette.  She found her passion for American history through the many stories shared by her mother and father around her Connecticut dinner table when she was a child. She is the Co-Chair of the New York City American Friends of Lafayette Committee commemorating the Bicentennial of Lafayette's Farewell Tour of America 1824/1825 which takes place in 100 cities and towns, in 24 states over 13 months which will kick off in Manhattan

on August 16, 2024!

Susan lives in Naples, Florida and spends her summers in Woodbury, Connecticut at her home on the road French General Rochambeau marched his troops on to and from the battle of Yorktown. She and her husband, Marc Minker, salute each time they pass the commemorative sign marking the French soliders' route, and reflect on the great sacrifices made by France to help America gain her freedom.

Julia O'Brien is the niece of Susan Joy and was welcomed on this historical journey in the fall of 2022. Her passion for art and creativity, alongside being an early childhood educator, made her a fitting partner for Susan's aspirations to bring light to the stories of familial historical figures in a way that children can grasp and enjoy.  Julia lives in Darien, Connecticut and spends a great deal of time in New York City where she soon hopes to take her teaching career. Julia obtained her degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Wisconsin in Madison and believes in building educational experiences that give students purpose. Giving children meaningful ways to travel to different times and places allows them to understand the world around them.