In late October 2024, Petersburg, Virginia commemorated Lafayette's visit to the Cockade City in 1824 with several events coordinated by Battersea Foundation, Historic Petersburg Foundation, and Petersburg Battlefields Foundation. We displayed the American Friends of Lafayette traveling educational panels at the Petersburg Public Library for about a week starting on Friday, October 25. On Saturday, October 26 in the morning, several Revolutionary War and 1824 historic buildings were open to the public for free including Blandford Church (1736), Battersea (1768), McIlwaine House (1794), Farmer's Bank (1817), and Centre Hill Mansion (1823). That afternoon, several speakers made presentations at the library:

Elizabeth Reese, historian: “Liberty Now Has a Country: The 1824-1825 Tour of the Marquis de Lafayette”
Dr. Gaila Sims, historian: “The Marquis de Lafayette, a True Friend of the Cause”
Damon Lee Fowler, cookbook author: “Revolutionary Cooking: Feeding the Founding Fathers, or Fueling a Rebellion”
Historical Interpreters: General Lafayette (portrayed by Charles Wissinger) and James Armistead Lafayette (portrayed by Stephen Seals)

That evening we had a celebratory dinner with a visit from Lafayette, history toasts, and colonial period food and drink.

Lafayette (Charles Wissinger) holding an antique ribbon
commemorating Lafayette's trip to America

On October 29—the 200th anniversary of Lafayette's actual visit to Petersburg—a Lafayette Trail historic marker was dedicated in Poplar Lawn, where the General was feted during his visit.

Lafayette trail marker ceremony on Poplar Lawn

About the Authors

Sharon Jadrnak is a Board Member of the Petersburg Battlefields Foundation. Justin Sarafin is the Executive Director, Historic Petersburg Foundation. Sandy Graham is a Board Member of the Battersea Foundation. All were members of the Lafayette Farewell Tour Bicentennial Planning Committee for Petersburg, Virginia.

Lafayette in Petersburg, Virginia