In 1824, the Marquis de Lafayette returned to America for the first time in forty years, visiting twenty-four states in thirteen months. Lafayette returned to Alexandria on October 16, 1824; an occasion marked with a grand parade and celebration.

Join us as we celebrate the 200th anniversary of Lafayette's visit.

Lafayette Walking Tours

Saturday October 5 or Sunday, October 6, 10 a.m. or 2 p..m.
Old Town Alexandria
$15 / $12 for OHA members & volunteers / $30 for the tour and a signed copy of Elizabeth Keene’s book Marquis de Lafayette Returns, A tour of America’s National Capital Region
Purchase Tickets

In 1824, the Marquis de Lafayette returned to America for the first time in forty years, visiting twenty-four states in thirteen months. Lafayette returned to Alexandria on October 16, 1824; an occasion marked with a grand parade and celebration. Join public historian and author Elizabeth Reese on a walking tour of Alexandria, retracing Lafayette's steps in the city.

Lecture and Book Signing

Wednesday, October 16, 7:30-9 p.m.
Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum 
7:30-9 p.m.
$15 / $12 for OHA members & volunteers
Purchase Tickets

Join Elizabeth Reese, author of Marquis de Lafayette Returns, A Tour of America’s National Capital Region for a lecture followed by a reception and book signing. Walk in the footsteps of the Marquis de Lafayette as he makes a final trip through the young United States. Against the backdrop of a tumultuous election, a beloved hero of the American Revolution returned to America for the first time in forty years. Elizabeth Reese traces Lafayette's route throughout the National Capital Region, highlighting the locations and people the famous General held closest to his heart.

Lafayette Dinner

Thursday, October 17, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Gadsby’s Tavern Museum
$150
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Enjoy a four course-dinner with French wine pairings as we celebrate the 200th anniversary of Lafayette's dinner in the very same room where he was welcomed in October of 1824! A re-enactor portraying the marquis de Lafayette will be in attendance, offering toasts, reminiscences, and an opportunity to have your photo taken  with him as an honored guest. The evening's program will highlight Lafayette's role in advancing liberty in the United States and beyond. Supported by the American Friends of Lafayette. 

Hero of Two Worlds, A Musical Celebration of Lafayette

Sunday, November 24, 3-4 p.m.
Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum
$20
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In 1824,  American Revolutionary War hero marquis de Lafayette visited the United States of America for a Grand Tour of all 24 states. For 13 months, Americans across the country celebrated Lafayette with ceremonies, balls, dignitary visits, parades, and concerts. The sounds of military wind bands greeted the Hero of Two Worlds nearly everywhere he went. 

Enjoy music from Lafayette's Grand Tour provided by the period-instrument wind band Music of the Regiment, who will commemorate the 200th anniversary of Lafayette’s visit to Alexandria with a concert. The program, featuring works by Francis Johnson, anonymous women composing under the alias “A Lady…”, and more, will transport audiences to the world of Lafayette’s Grand Tour with grand marches, dance tunes, and America’s earliest patriotic airs performed on the instruments of Lafayette’s time.

October 16, 1824

Lafayette visited Alexandria on his way from Washington City. That morning, he rode a carriage into town with a military escort of local calvary and 2,000 troops on foot.

The town was excited. Three ceremonial arches were constructed across Washington Street. Hundreds of spectators greeted him. Women waved handkerchiefs from open windows along neighboring buildings. Two hundred young girls and boys dressed in white with blue and pink sashes and badges bearing the General’s image spread flower petals along the path. The General greeted the Mayor and City Council at Claggett’s Hotel (now known as Gadsby’s Tavern) who gave speeches extolling the virtues of Lafayette while the militias performed exercises for his review. 

After this official welcome, Lafayette proceeded to 301 S. Saint Asaph Street, the home of Mrs. Thomas (Elizabeth) Lawrason where he would be lodging overnight.  At 5 p.m., Lafayette returned to Claggett’s for a large public dinner. Among the guests was John Quincy Adams, Secretary of State and future President. The dinner concluded with 33 toasts. Lafayette toasted to “The City of Alexandria: May her prosperity and happiness more and more realize the fondest wishes of our venerated Washington.” The next day, he boarded the steamship The Petersburg to visit Mount Vernon.

December 14, 1824

Lafayette stopped to visit with the Mayor of Alexandria and to pay his respects to Mrs. Anne Hill Carter Lee, widow of Light Horse Harry Lee, on his way from Mount Vernon to Washington City. 

February 21, 1825

Lafayette participated in a Washington Lodge, No. 22 Masonic ceremony in the Washington Lodge room in the City Hall. Afterwards, he dined on a “splendid and sumptuous dinner” with Lodge members at Claggett’s Hotel.

September 7, 1825

Lafayette passed Alexandria while aboard the steamboat The Mount Vernon on his way to his ship The Brandywine that returned him to France. 

Other Resources

Out of the Attic

• Marquis de Lafayette: A hero's return Alexandria Times, October 10, 2024
• Alexandria and the Marquis Alexandria Times, July 14, 2022
• A temporary home for a revolutionary hero Alexandria Times, April 2, 2015
• October is Archaeology Month Alexandria Times, October 4, 2007

Article

• Commemorative Wares in George Washington’s Hometown, Ceramics in America. 2006.

Lafayette’s Travel Journals

• Lafayette in America in 1824 and 1825; or, Journal of a Voyage to the United States, by A. Levasseur, Secretary to General Lafayette During His Journey. 
  Volume 1, Volume 2.

Marking the 200th anniversary of Lafayette’s Visit to Alexandria