Colonial Williamsburg Commemorates 200th Anniversary of Marquis de Lafayette’s Farewell Tour

WHAT: Colonial Williamsburg and American Friends of Lafayette (AFL) are commemorating the 200th anniversary of Lafayette’s return to the United States after forty years from when he led troops during the American Revolution. The NYC event will kick off the 13-month bicentennial celebration of Lafayette’s triumphant return tour. During the next thirteen months, you can follow in Lafayette’s footsteps through the then existing 24 states in the exact order he traveled in 1824 and 1825.

WHO: Mark Schneider, Colonial Williamsburg’s historical interpreter portraying the Marquis de Lafayette, and American Friends of Lafayette (AFL)

Schedule:

8:30 AM: “Lafayette” departs from Staten Island and sails past the Statue of Liberty
9:30 AM: Statue of Liberty Fly-Over (viewable by all flotillas and Brookfield Place bystanders)
10:00 – 10:30 AM: Arrival of Lafayette Flotilla into Brookfield Place
10:30 – 11:00 AM: Walk to Evacuation Plaza
11:00 – 11:45 AM: Evacuation Day Plaza: Welcome and flag raising, City Proclamation, National Anthem
12:30 – 12:45 PM: Gathering on steps of City Hall
12:45 – 1:45 PM: Inside City Hall: Brief speech and viewing of Lafayette portrait