RICHMOND — With Virginia gearing up to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Maj. Gen. Marquis de Lafayette’s farewell tour, the American Friends of Lafayette will be hosting festivals, educational programming, and remembrances at locations Lafayette visited during his original tour.
Lafayette, the French hero who played a crucial role in the American Revolution, returned to the United States in 1824 at the invitation of President James Monroe. His tour was a whirlwind of celebrations, parades, and festivities as Americans honored the last living American general from the Revolutionary War, according to the Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission (VA250), which was established in 2020 to commemorate Virginia’s role in the 250th anniversary of American independence.
“Lafayette’s visit was a beacon of unity in a time of division,” said Cheryl Wilson, VA250 Executive Director. “His story reminds us that even in the face of challenges, we can come together to celebrate our shared history and values. As we approach our nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026, Lafayette’s legacy offers a powerful inspiration for a more united future.”
The events hosted by the American Friends of Lafayette, along with others, are designed to provide opportunities for Virginians to learn about Lafayette’s legacy and his enduring connection to the Commonwealth, according to VA250.
Virginia events on the bicentennial tour include:
- Starting Oct. 2: Portsmouth | Lafayette Wednesdays (every Wednesday in October)
- Oct. 5: Portsmouth | Lafayette in Hampton Roads Lecture
- Oct. 5-6: Alexandria | Walking Tour with Historian Elizabeth Reese
- Oct. 9: Norfolk | Freedom’s Friendship: Monroe and Lafayette
- Oct. 12: Portsmouth | Tidewater Winds Brass Quintet
- Oct. 14: Arlington | Lafayette at Arlington: A Bicentennial Celebration
- Oct. 16: Alexandria | Lecture: The Marquis de Lafayette Returns (The Lyceum)
- Oct. 17: Fairfax County | Lafayette at Mount Vernon
- Oct. 17: Fairfax County | Lunch at the Library: Marquis de Lafayette Returns
- Oct. 17: Alexandria | Lafayette Dinner
- Oct. 17: NPR’s Another View — Barbara Hamm Lee talks Lafayette with James Fayette and Frederick Douglass on 5 WHRV-FM
- Oct. 17: Norfolk | Free viewing of the PBS documentary “Lafayette the Lost Hero”
- Oct. 18: Yorktown | Lafayette arrives at the Riverwalk Landing Pier on the Luna
- Oct. 18: Portsmouth | Heart of Lafayette Beer Unveiling
- Oct. 19: Yorktown | Lafayette at Yorktown Day
- Oct. 19: Yorktown | Yorktown Victory Celebration at American Revolution Museum at Yorktown
- Oct. 19: Norfolk | Saint-Saëns’ Organ Symphony
- Oct. 19: Portsmouth | Lafayette Lecture with Julie Dunn at Hill House Museum
- Oct. 19: Portsmouth | The Maritime Dimension of Lafayette’s Return
- Oct. 19: Portsmouth | It’s Revolutionary with Virginie Lafayette
- Oct. 20: Colonial Williamsburg | Lafayette’s Homecoming
- Oct. 20: Colonial Williamsburg | Celebrating Lafayette
- Oct. 20: Colonial Williamsburg | Il Était Une Fois-Once Upon a Time
- Oct. 20: Williamsburg | Hero of Two Worlds: An Evening with General Lafayette and Mike Duncan
- Oct. 20: Virginia Beach | Saint-Saëns’ Organ Symphony
- Oct. 20: Williamsburg | Vive Lafayette! Beer Release and Wine Dinner
- Oct. 22: Norfolk | Light the Elizabeth: Portsmouth & Norfolk Welcome Lafayette
- Oct. 22: Norfolk | Sunset Schooner Cruise (SOLD OUT)
- Oct. 23: Portsmouth | Moses Myers Remembers Lafayette
- Oct. 24: Hampton | Welcome General Lafayette to Fort Monroe
- Oct. 25: Portsmouth | Rededication of Lafayette Monument
- Oct. 25: Portsmouth | Battle of Scotts Creek Reenactment
- Oct. 25: Portsmouth | Children Greet Lafayette
- Oct. 25: Portsmouth | Lafayette Visits Historic Emanuel AME
- Oct. 25: Portsmouth | Lafayette Progressive Dinner
- Oct. 26: Portsmouth | Farewell Tea with Lafayette
- Oct. 26: Portsmouth | Lafayette’s Victory in the Battle of the Virginia Capes
- Oct. 26: Norfolk | Lafayette Ball
- Oct. 26: Petersburg | Revolutionary Petersburg & Lafayette, America’s Favorite Fighting Frenchman
- Oct. 26: Petersburg | Lafayette Banquet
- Oct. 27: Richmond | Lafayette at Rockett’s Landing
- Oct. 30: Richmond | Lafayette Visits Masons Hall Bicentennial Reenactment
- Nov. 1: Richmond | Lafayette’s Life and Ideals Webinar
- Nov. 14: Orange | The Marquis Returns to Orange
- Nov. 15: Charlottesville | Lafayette Visits the University of Virginia
- Nov. 15: Charlottesville | President’s Weekend at the University of Virginia Rotunda Dome
- Nov. 16: Montpelier | Lafayette Visits James Madison’s Montpelier
- Nov. 17: Charlottesville | Lafayette Returns to Monticello
- Nov. 23 – 24: Fredericksburg | Lafayette Bicentennial Commemoration Weekend
- Dec. 7: Alexandria | Lafayette at Woodlawn
- Jan. 23: Suffolk | Opening Reception for Exhibit: Celebrating Lafayette
- Feb. 23: Suffolk | Lafayette Welcome Ceremony
- Feb. 25: Suffolk | Lafayette Banquet
- Feb. 26: Suffolk | Lafayette Reception
