​Over 500 of you tuned in or attended last night's lecture with AFL President Alan Hoffman and AFL Executive Director Chuck Schwam at the Anderson House aka the American Revolution Institute in Washington, DC.

In 1824, the Marquis de Lafayette embarked on a tour of the United States, returning for a final time to the country he helped establish and whose democratic experiment he saw as a model for the rest of the world. During his thirteen-month tour, he visited all twenty-four states of the union, where he was celebrated with processions, banquets and receptions, worship services, and visits to important sites. There was an excellent preview of the commemorative events planned to celebrate its bicentennial.
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This lecture accompanies the exhibition, Fete Lafayette: A French Hero’s Tour of the American Republic, on view from March 2 through December 31, 2024.
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-  The American Friends of Lafayette

Feel free to stop by the Suffolk Visitor Center for your own copy.
524 North Main Street, Suffolk, VA 23434 - open daily 9am - 5pm.
​757.514.4130

Meeting attendees:
Fred Taylor, Richard Todd, Lawrence Todd, Sue Woodward, Brittany Waller, Kevin Hughes, Gloria Womble, Lee King, Nina Schumacher, Olivia Crawley, Mark Furlo, Andrea Parodi, Carolyn White, Joleen Neighbours, Kelly Hengler, Mary Hill, Danielle Jonigan, Theresa Earles.

Meeting Details:
Frank Womble presented a comprehensive PowerPoint detailing the American Friends of Lafayette's Bicentennial of Lafayette's Farewell Tour, 2024-25.

Gloria Womble updated the committee regarding the DAR Constantia Chapter's upcoming events.

The committee brainstormed a variety of programs to consider:

• Glebe Church - June 2025 living history event
• Plein Air Painting event that "Connects Art & History." 
  • Painting subjects focus on Suffolk's architecture, waterfront, and other historically significant sites.
  • To include a wet paint sale and/or exhibit.
  • Year-long painting/art project or competition with online judging and exhibiting component.
• Essay Contest - Suffolk students reflect on the American Revolution and the effects it had on the people, the land, the fabric of Suffolk. 
• K - 12 workshops - living history - correlating to the American Revolution SOLs 
• Mobile Museum will be requested to include in a future event
• Suffolk, VA 250 display for use at events such as Taste of Suffolk Downtown Street Festival and Suffolk Peanut Fest. 
• Great American Picnic? Enhanced Fireworks for 2026 - in conjunction with Stars & Stripes Spectacular

Next meeting TBA.