Fredericksburg Lafayette Bicentennial

11/23/2025

11/23/2025

A year ago we had a wonderful weekend! Thank you for the memories

09/07/2025

Two hundred years ago, on September 7, 1825, a tearful Marquis de Lafayette embraced President John Quincy Adams after delivering a farewell speech at the White House. The ceremony signified the end of the famed Frenchman’s triumphant return to the United States from 1824 to 1825. This visit inspired patriotic celebrations and expressions across a young country during the waning days of the “Era of Good Feelings.”

Originally intended as a four-month tour, the general’s visit soon stretched into a thirteen-month journey to all twenty-four states. He was received with great enthusiasm throughout the country as cities and towns honored the Revolutionary War hero with parades, monuments, songs, dances, and ceremonies. Not to be outdone, the White House hosted meetings, dinners, and celebrations for Lafayette throughout his tour. When Lafayette departed the White House for the final time, he had undoubtedly left a profound impression on the American people. To honor the bicentennial of this moment in history, read more about Lafayette’s tour on our website:

https://www.whitehousehistory.org/the-nations-guest

08/25/2025

08/20/2025

🇺🇸🇫🇷 Celebrate Lafayette’s Bicentennial in Culpeper!
Join us for a full weekend of history, pageantry, and community events honoring the Marquis de Lafayette’s 1825 visit.

📅 Friday, Aug. 22 | 5–8 PM
🏇 Colonial Allies Challenge Cup: Game 2
Blue Rock Polo Arena, Washington
Active-duty U.S. and French military players compete together as allied teams!

📅 Saturday, Aug. 23
🎖️ Military Reception at Historic Greenwood | 9:30–11 AM
Reenactors portraying Lafayette & Monroe arrive in a horse-drawn carriage to greet Revolutionary War soldiers—just as Lafayette did in 1825. (Invitation only)

🎺 Public Reception | 11:30 AM–12:30 PM
Downtown Culpeper, in front of the Museum of Culpeper History
Bands, speeches & Lafayette’s invitation to afternoon events.

🎉 Downtown Celebration | 12:30–5 PM
• Museum exhibit on Lafayette
• Walking tours of 1825 sites
• Public reception & photo op at Fairfax Masonic Lodge No. 43
• Crafts, scavenger hunt, contests, music, merchant discounts & more
🍷 At 5 PM: French-themed menus at downtown restaurants

💃 Grand Lafayette Ball | 7–11 PM
Mountain Run Winery
English country dancing, live music, hors d’oeuvres, spirits & more. Period dress or formal attire recommended. (Ticketed)

📅 Sunday, Aug. 24 | 11 AM–4 PM
🏇 Colonial Allied Services Cup
Liberty Hall Polo Club, Rixeyville
A friendly polo tournament between U.S. and French armed forces. (Ticketed)

✨ Leading up to the weekend:
• Walking & driving tours of Revolutionary War sites
• VA250 Mobile Museum in Culpeper, Aug. 18–21

🔗 More details: culpeperminutemen.us/lafayette-bicentennial

08/01/2025

On this date in history, July 31, 1777, one of the most remarkable allies of the American Revolution was officially welcomed into the fight.

The Marquis de Lafayette, a wealthy French aristocrat barely 19 years old, was commissioned as a major general in the Continental Army.

He had defied the King of France and risked his fortune and his life to cross the Atlantic, arriving in South Carolina in June 1777. His passion for the American cause of liberty was immense.

He journeyed overland to Philadelphia and presented himself to the Continental Congress, making a simple but profound offer: he would serve at his own expense and without any official command.

This demonstration of sincerity and commitment deeply impressed the members of Congress. They saw not just a zealous young man, but a powerful symbol of potential French support.

Though his commission as major general was initially honorary, Lafayette quickly proved his worth and bravery on the battlefield, most notably at the Battle of Brandywine where he was wounded.

He would go on to form a deep, father-son-like bond with General George Washington, who took the young Frenchman under his wing. 🇺🇸🇫🇷

Lafayette's dedication never wavered. He became a brilliant commander and a crucial link to securing vital French aid, which ultimately helped win the war, especially during the decisive Siege of Yorktown.

He is remembered as a hero in two nations, a man who staked everything on the American experiment in freedom.

07/11/2025

July 11, 1834, cannons fired and church bells rang across Fredericksburg. A military procession marched through the streets, followed by area Freemasons, the Mayor, the City Council, and "a long train of citizens." Downtown businesses closed their doors for memorial services held at St. George’s Episcopal Church. The reason?

General Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier de La Fayette, known to us during the Revolutionary War as the Marquis de Lafayette, died on May 20 in Paris, France at the age of 76. He visited Fredericksburg Lodge No. 4 a decade prior in November 1824 during his Farewell Tour of the United States. The bond between Brother Lafayette and this Lodge grew from his connection to Brother George Washington and only strengthened over time, as evinced by this unique event.

The memorial service was led by Brother and Reverend Edward C. McGuire, who gave the sermon during Lafayette's 1824 visit. Then, as later reported by the Political Arena on July 15, "the Military shortly afterwards fired three rounds, and thus ended a pageant, than which nothing more imposing or creditable to the Town has ever been witnessed here. The stores and shops were generally closed until after the procession, and many throughout the day. The Bells were tolled, and minute guns fired, and no demonstration of respect wanting on the occasion."



This portrait is an oil painting from c. 1823 by Ary Scheffer, courtesy of the Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives.

12/09/2024

12/09/2024