To mark the 200th anniversary of General Marquis de Lafayette’s visit to Fredericksburg in November 1824, the City of Fredericksburg has planned a series of events for the weekend of Nov. 23-24.
The Lafayette Commemoration Weekend is the culmination of events that began in March, with the opening of the Lafayette exhibit at the Fredericksburg Area Museum. Also beginning in March, a series of lectures about Lafayette, his contributions to the causes of freedom and abolition, and his relationships to the Founding Fathers, have featured authors and local historians, also open to all at no cost.
All programs closely follow the records of the actual events and are free and open to the public. General Lafayette will be portrayed by Mark Schneider of Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, Inc.
Thursday, Nov. 21
7 p.m., Theater of the Central Rappahannock Regional Library, Downtown Branch (2101 Caroline St.).
Dr. Will Mackintosh, associate professor of history at the University of Mary Washington, will talk about what Fredericksburg was like when Lafayette visited for three days in November 1824. Doors open at 6:30 and the lecture begins at 7 p.m. It is free and open to all.
The thesis is that the celebrations and events that occurred during the Revolutionary War hero’s visit to Fredericksburg were the largest and most enthusiastic series of events in the history of the city.
Saturday, Nov. 23
- 10 a.m. Welcome event in Market Square, Fredericksburg: General Lafayette arrives in a horse-drawn carriage. The reception will include performances of period music, military and civilian historical interpreters in period dress, and dignitaries. Followed by visitor greetings in the Fredericksburg Area Museum. See the FAM exhibit of Lafayette’s World: Revolutionary Ideals and the Limits of Freedom.
- 1-4 p.m. Tours of George Washington’s Mother Lodge, Masonic Lodge No.4. Located at 803 Princess Anne Street. Guided tours by Historic Fredericksburg Foundation, highlighting venues of Lafayette’s visit. Leaving from Market Square every half hour from 1-4 p.m. both days.
Sunday, Nov. 24
- 10-11:30 a.m. General Lafayette’s Masonic Welcome. Masonic Lodge No. 4 (803 Princess Anne St.). Lafayette was made an honorary lodge member. Artifacts on display include the punch bowl used for the 1824 reception.
- 12 p.m. Historic church service for General Lafayette. St. George’s Episcopal Church, located at 905 Princess Anne St. Lafayette, his entourage, and many locals attend a service of prayer and thanksgiving in the general’s honor. The Rev. Edward McGuire (then-rector and fellow Mason) delivers the address.
- 1-4 p.m. Tours of George Washington’s Mother Lodge, Masonic Lodge No.4. Located at 803 Princess Anne Street. Guided tours by Historic Fredericksburg Foundation, highlighting venues of Lafayette’s visit. Leaving from Market Square every half hour from 1-4 p.m. both days.
- 2-3 p.m. Book lecture. Masonic Lodge No. 4. Historian Chris Ruli lectures on his forthcoming book, “Brother Lafayette”, about the general’s connection to the Masonic fraternity.
