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 SUFFOLK, VA (January 15, 2025) Suffolk Tourism and the Suffolk VA 250 Committee, in cooperation with the American Friends of Lafayette (AFL), will commemorate Major General Lafayette’s American Farewell Tour through the United States, and more specifically Suffolk, February 24 – 26, 2025. Since August 2024, cities and towns throughout the United States have been commemorating the Bicentennial of Lafayette’s return to America as the “Guest of the Nation.” In total, more than 200 events will trace Lafayette’s footsteps on his 13-month, 6,000-mile tour of America during 1824 and 1825, including several activities and exhibits happening in Suffolk. Additional event partners include Constantia Chapter—Daughters of the American Revolution, Riddick’s Folly House Museum, Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts, Suffolk Public Library, and the Suffolk Nansemond Historical Society. About Lafayette’s 1824-25 Farewell Tour According to historians and AFL members, Frank Womble, retired Army lieutenant colonel, and Gloria Womble, the America 250 chair of Constantia Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution . . . “Lafayette’s return visit came at a difficult time in U. S. history. In 1824, the United States was in the throes of a very contentious Presidential election. Our country was divided and in turmoil. There were few living veterans from the Revolutionary War, and the “Spirit of ’76” that carried them through the war had faded as the nation expanded westward. President James Monroe was inspired to invite the last living American Major General from the Revolutionary War to return to help celebrate the nation’s upcoming 50th anniversary and reignite patriotism. Upon his return to the United States, Lafayette was welcomed with unprecedented universal affection and gratitude. What began as a simple plan to visit the major cities turned into a triumphal tour of all 24 states when the Southern and Western states clamored for a visit from Lafayette as well.” SUFFOLK’S LAFAYETTE EVENTS & EXHIBITS: Saturday, January 18, 2025 “SUSANNA’S MIDNIGHT RIDE: THE GIRL WHO WON THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR” Presentation by author, Libby McNamee Award-winning author Libby McNamee will discuss her book, Susanna's Midnight Ride: The Girl Who Won the Revolutionary War. Almost five years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the American Revolution hung in the balance. In late May 1781, General Cornwallis invaded City Point, Virginia, and quartered his army there. As 16-year-old Susanna Bolling served the British general and his officers’ dinner, she overheard their plans to capture General Lafayette and crush the American rebellion once and for all. Under the cover of darkness, she snuck out of her house through a secret underground tunnel and canoed downriver. Then she grabbed a neighbor’s horse and rode ten miles to warn Lafayette. But would she make it back home by sunrise without detection? Her book is based on the TRUE story of this local heroine. (Named as #1 In Juvenile Fiction, by the 2020 Independent Publisher Book Awards and the 2020 Pinnacle Book Awards; Finalist In Historical Fiction in the 2020 Best Book Awards.)
Through January 22, 2025 LAFAYETTE RETURNS TO SUFFOLK EXHIBIT The Marquis de Lafayette's return to the United States is depicted in a series of panels describing the triumphal return of this famous hero of the American Revolution and friend of George Washington to the United States in 1824 and 1825. Learn about Lafayette's enduring legacy, his place in history as a human rights activist and why he remains important to Americans today.
North Suffolk Library, 2000 Bennetts Creek Park Road. 757.514.7150. Free and open to the public. On view, January 23 – March 1, 2025 “CELEBRATE LAFAYETTE: SOLDIER, STATESMAN, CHAMPION OF HUMAN RIGHTS.” The exhibit highlights memorabilia from the Farewell Tour and other vintage items on loan from American Friends of Lafayette (AFL) member, Bill Cole. The AFL’s traveling panels and a detailed map of the Farewell Tour route through the 24 states that Lafayette visited will also be on display. The Opening Reception will include French appetizers and three Lafayette wines from the Williamsburg Winery.
Free and open to the public. Thursday, February 6, 2025 LECTURE: “LAFAYETTE AND THE SOUVENIR INDUSTRY” Speaker: Julie Dunn, Hill House Museum Julie Dunn, local researcher and member of Portsmouth’s Hill House Museum Board, will hold a lecture on decorations that were prominent during Lafayette’s 1825 visit, such as signs, luminaries, and transparencies. She will also address how Lafayette’s visit started the souvenir industry in the United States.
Free and open to the public. Wednesday, February 12, 2025 STUDENT MATINEE FOR GRADES 5 TO 8: “BLACK PATRIOT: A VISIT WITH JAMES FAYETTE” Interpreter Steven Alexander will lead children Grades 5 - 8 on a journey through the life of a true American hero, double agent James Fayette. James’ relationship with Gen. Lafayette is highlighted as he tells of the unlikely friendship of two patriots, one of noble birth and the other born enslaved.
Thursday, February 13, 2025 LECTURE: "LAFAYETTE: SOLDIER, STATESMAN, CHAMPION OF HUMAN RIGHTS" Speaker: Dr. Natasha Naujoks, Chrysler Museum of Art Dr. Natasha Naujoks, Public Engagement and Learning Assistant at Norfolk’s Chrysler Museum of Art, addresses Lafayette’s legacy and his impact on the history of the United States and France.
Free and open to the public. Sunday, February 23, 2025 SUFFOLK WELCOMES LAFAYETTE! A LIVING HISTORY EVENT This family-friendly event will include costumed interpreters that will represent veterans of the American Revolution and their families, and present aspects of life in camp. Lafayette, portrayed by Mark Schneider of Colonial Williamsburg, will arrive in person by carriage.
Free and open to the public. Tuesday, February 25, 2025 LAFAYETTE BICENTENNIAL BANQUET The Lafayette Bicentennial Banquet will echo the banquet at which Lafayette was entertained on February 25, 1825. Lafayette, portrayed by Colonial Williamsburg's Mark Schneider, will be the guest of honor. He will be formally welcomed during the opening reception, where the Mayor of Suffolk's Proclamation of Lafayette Week will be read. The dinner begins with the same thirteen toasts given 200 years ago. “Music of the Regiment” will perform with the instruments and repertoire that Lafayette himself knew. AFL Vice President Robert Kelly, Director of the Gloucester Museum of History, will deliver the keynote address. This is a unique opportunity to relive history, celebrate the enduring friendship between France and the United States, and meet Lafayette. Period dress or cocktail/business attire suggested. Sponsored by TowneBank.
Wednesday, February 26, 2025 RECEPTION: LAFAYETTE MEETS THE MURFREESBORO, NORTH CAROLINA, COMMITTEE IN SOMERTON General Lafayette will be welcomed to Historic Somerton with a free reception on the grounds of the Washington Smith Ordinary, the only building still standing in Suffolk where he dined in 1825. Lafayette and his entourage will be escorted to the site by a bagpiper.
To learn more about upcoming Suffolk VA 250 events and activities, visit SuffolkVa250.com. Like and follow facebook.com/SuffolkVaLafayetteBicentennialCelebration. Additional Suffolk events and information available at VisitSuffolkVa.com. Please contact the Suffolk Visitor Center at 757.514.4130 with any questions.
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