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Editor’s note: This is the fourteenth in a series of articles leading up to the Lafayette Farewell Tour Bicentennial celebration. Previous articles are available at suffolkva250.com/history.

By Frank and Gloria Womble

Lafayette’s triumphal 13-month Farewell Tour of the United States is well underway. After the joyous welcome in New York Harbor on Aug.16, 1824, and four days of nearly continuous celebration, he visited towns in Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Delaware. Not to be outdone by New York, Philadelphians welcomed him with stunning pageantry at the end of September. Lafayette gave an impassioned speech at the Old State House, where the Second Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence. This event helped save the building from destruction. We know it today as Independence Hall, where the ringing of the Liberty Bell in July 1776 proclaimed a new nation.

After visiting Baltimore, Washington, Arlington, and Alexandria, Lafayette embarked on the Potomac River on his first journey southward in mid-October. He stopped at Mount Vernon on Oct. 17, where he met with members of the Washington family and paid his respects at Washington’s tomb before continuing to Yorktown.

Lafayette spent eight days in Hampton Roads, one of his longest stays in a single geographic area. His arrival at Yorktown was carefully planned to coincide with the 43rd anniversary of General Cornwallis’ surrender. Lafayette had commanded the light infantry division during the siege. Troops under his command, led by Alexander Hamilton, stormed and took Redoubt #10 in a critical nighttime battle using only their fixed bayonets. His return was marked by artillery salutes, thousands of spectators, and a welcome speech by Virginia Governor James Pleasants. A grand review and banquet on the battlefield also marked the event.

Flashback: The Suffolk Columbians, “a fine martial corps,” attended Lafayette’s welcome at Yorktown, which they had been planning since his arrival in New York. Lafayette would later recognize them in his remarks when he visited Suffolk in February 1825.

The American Friends of Lafayette will celebrate the 200th anniversary of Lafayette’s return to Yorktown with two days of events portrayed by Colonial Williamsburg’s Mark Schneider. On October 18, he will arrive at the Riverwalk Landing Pier at 3:00 p.m. on the tall ship Luna. This free, family-friendly event includes a cannon salute, an official welcome, and performances by the 29th Infantry Division Band and the Fife and Drums of Yorktown. 

The Victory Celebration on Oct. 19 marks the 243rd anniversary of Cornwallis’ surrender. This is certain to be popular, so arrive early to ensure a parking space. Events include ceremonies at the French Cemetery at 8:25 a.m. and French Monument at 9:10, the Yorktown Day Parade at 10:30, and patriotic exercises at the Victory Monument at 11:15. In a first-ever event, the French Air Force will fly over historic Main Street at 10:30. The Williamsburg Youth Orchestra will give a free performance at 3:00 p.m. at 405 Main Street. 

Lafayette journeyed onward to Williamsburg on Oct. 20 where he received another joyous welcome and was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree by the College of William and Mary. The college will commemorate this event at 11:00 a.m. in the Wren Building, which Lafayette also visited in 1824. Lafayette’s original degree, on loan from the Chambrun Foundation in France, will be on display that afternoon. At 1:00 p.m. Lafayette will proceed by carriage down the Duke of Gloucester Street from the Capitol Building to the Colonial Courthouse, where he will be welcomed by city and community officials and speak to attendees. At 3:00 p.m., Lafayette and other historic figures will be at the Kimball Theater to reminisce about their days during the American Revolution.

Mayor of Norfolk Kenneth Alexander will welcome Lafayette on Oct. 22 at a park outside the southern entrance to City Hall at 2:30 p.m. At 4:30, the 1824 Mayor of Norfolk, John Holt, will greet Lafayette as he steps ashore in Norfolk at Fountain Park. The arrival program will include Black American double agent James Fayette and others. In our next article, we will discuss future events at Fort Monroe, Portsmouth, and Richmond.

The American Friends of Lafayette is partnering with Suffolk 250, the Constantia Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, Riddick’s Folly, Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts, and the Suffolk Nansemond Historical Society to commemorate the Bicentennial of Lafayette’s Farewell Tour. Events include  “Celebrate Lafayette: Soldier, Statesman, Champion of Human Rights,” a memorabilia exhibit from Jan. 23 to March 1 at the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts; Lafayette’s arrival on Feb. 23 at the Suffolk Visitor Center/Riddick’s Folly; a banquet on Feb. 25 at the Hilton Garden Inn Suffolk Riverfront; and a reception on Feb. 26 at the Washington Smith Ordinary in Historic Somerton.

Frank and Gloria Womble are life members of the American Friends of Lafayette. Frank is a retired Army lieutenant colonel. Gloria is the America250 chair of Constantia Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, in Suffolk.