The Marquis de Lafayette And His Time In Lancaster Event To Commemorate The Bicentennial Of Lafayettes American Farewell Tour
March 14, 2025
OnThursday, March 20, presenters Bruce Mowday, Dr. Louise Stevenson, Ben Webber, and Sarah Alberico will join LancasterHistory for the panel discussion, An Adopted Son of America: Perspectives on the Marquis de Lafayette. Fifty years after fighting for the American cause in the Revolutionary War, the Marquis de Lafayette returned to the United States, visiting all 24 states on a 13-month farewell tour that included three days of festivities in Lancaster, Pa. Four local historians will explore who Lafayette was, what he believed, and what he did here when he passed through Central Pennsylvania in July 1825. To commemorate 200 years since Lafayettes American Farewell Tour, the American Friends of Lafayettes Bicentennial Project hascreated nationwide excitement and plans for hundreds of events to trace Lafayettes tour on the exact dates and in the exact order he visited in the 1800s. LancasterHistory is pleased to host the March 20 panel discussion with theLafayette200 Bicentennial Planning Committee of Lancaster and Western Chester Counties.This event is also part of LancasterHistorys Regional History Colloquium Series, which features historians and other scholars presenting research on issues related to southeastern Pennsylvania and its wider borders. Were thrilled to be co-hosting this panel discussion with the Lafayette200 Bicentennial Planning Committee, said Mabel Rosenheck, director of education and exhibition planning. Its a great story and a great lens for exploring the history of Lancaster County. Were looking forward to the presentation and everything else the committee has planned for this summer! Speakers for the panel discussion include the following. Bruce E. Mowday,author and newspaper reporter, who will give an overview of the life of the Marquis de Lafayette before, during, and after the Revolutionary War. Dr. Louise Stevenson, professor emerita ofhistory and American studies at Franklin & Marshall College, who willdiscuss the statements of human rights that Lafayette borrowed from the founding documents of the United States. Ben Webber, civil engineer and local historian, who will tracethe Marquis de Lafayettes travels in Lancaster County when he visited during his farewell tour of 1824-25. Sarah Alberico,curator at Historic Rock Ford, who will highlightthe objects to be included in Rock Fords upcoming exhibit, 1825: Lafayette in Lancaster. This event will take place in person at LancasterHistory, located at 230 N. President Ave. in Lancaster, Pa. A reception will be held at 5 p.m. The panel discussion will begin at 5:30 p.m. The presentation will also be streamed to Zoom at 5:30 p.m., for those who wish to joinvirtually. This program is free and open to the public. In-person attendance requires advance registration in order to guarantee a seat. Due to capacity restrictions, tickets may not be available at the door. Virtual attendance requires advance registration in order to receive the Zoom link. Register online or by calling 717-392-4633.
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