Lafayette’s 200th Anniversary 1824 – 2024
A year’s worth of events leading up to this weekend – Saturday, November 23 and Sunday November 24 – are reaching a crescendo – and EVERYONE is invited! Fredericksburg’s culminating commemoration of the 200th Anniversary of General Lafayette’s visit to the young America in 1824 – is finally here.
These events are nearly two centuries “to the day” of the occurrence. A grand group of volunteers, spearheaded by David and Lisa Durham, have planned, organized and implemented instructive programming, special events, educational (and fun) gatherings adding a great deal to the understanding of the importance of Lafayette’s visit, and the relevance it has still, today.
This weekend has many opportunities to join the commemoration.
Here’s the line up – and it’s ALL FREE!
Saturday – 9:45 a.m. Gather for Lafayette’s Welcome – Market Square – General Lafayette arrives in horse-drawn carriage. Event includes performances of period music, military and civilian historical interpreters in period dress, and students from Fredericksburg City Public Schools Select Choir’s performance, and City Dignitaries welcoming General Lafayette, officially, to Fredericksburg. General Lafayette will address the assembly in the square. (Market Square is located immediately behind the Fredericksburg Area Museum at 907 Princess Anne, St.)
After the welcome outside, the public is invited inside, to meet General Lafayette, our Mayor, and other dignitaries in the Fredericksburg Area Museum (FAM), until 1:00 p.m. There is a wonderful FAM exhibit, Lafayette’s World: Revolutionary Ideals and the Limits of Freedom to experience. FAM will be open the rest of the weekend.
Saturday, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Guided Tours by the Historic Fredericksburg Foundation, Inc. will highlight the locations of Lafayette’s 1824 visit. Tours will leave every 15 minutes from Market Square.
Saturday and Sunday – Tours of Masonic Lodge No.4. (George Washington’s Mother’s Lodge) an amazing historic site will be open at 803 Princess Anne St. Saturday Tours of the Masonic Lodge will be offered from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Sunday tours of the Masonic Lodge will be offered from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, 10:00 -11: 30 a.m. Lafayette will receive a Masonic Welcome at Lodge No. 4. 803 Princess Anne Street. Lafayette is made an honorary Lodge Member. Historic artifacts will be on display, including a punch bowl used in 1824 reception.
Sunday Noon – Historic Church Service at St. George’s Episcopal Church. 905 Princess Anne St. Lafayette, and his entourage, and many locals, attend a service of Prayer and Thanksgiving in the General’s honor. The Rev. Edward McGuire (then-rector and fellow Mason) delivers the address.
A giant thank you to all involved in making these multiple events and activities the success they have been!
HUZZAH! HUZZAH! to all of the following partners – The Lafayette Bicentennial Commemoration Committee and partner organizations including Washington Heritage Museums, The George Washington Foundation, The James Monroe Museum and Memorial Library, The Fredericksburg Area Museum, The Central Rappahannock Regional Library, Historic Fredericksburg Foundation, Inc., Masonic Lodge No. 4, St. George’s Episcopal Church, Fredericksburg Sister City Association (Frejus), Fredericksburg-Estee Association, Local Chapters of the Daughters of the American Revolution and Sons of the American Revolution, Fredericksburg City Public Schools, King George County Public Schools, The University of Mary Washington, and Germanna Community College.
Want to read the original pamphlet written by the local newspaper reporter Rufus B. Merchant of the November 27, 1824 visit – Click here to see the pamphlet online.
Learn more about all of the events taking place to commemorate the 24 state commemoration – by visiting Lafayette 200!