Program

Lafayette Trail

Subject

Site

Location

W2Q2+VW Virginia Beach, VA, USA

Lat/Long

36.939686661349, -75.997662805148

Grant Recipient

The Lafayette Trail, Inc.

When America declared its independence on July 4, 1776, the thirteen colonies were pulled into a conflict with one of the world’s most formidable powers, Great Britain. The colonies’ actions against Great Britain inspired a young French aristocrat and military officer, Marquis de Lafayette, to depart his native France to fight in the American Revolution. Lafayette served as a commander with the Continental Army throughout the war and helped secure French support for the American cause. This support played an integral part in securing American victory during the war.

Celebrated as a hero in the U.S. and France, Lafayette eventually returned to his home country. In 1824, Marquis de Lafayette was invited to visit the United States for the first time in 41 years. As an American hero and one of the only surviving commanders from the Revolution, Lafayette’s visit to the U.S. was highly anticipated and met with a great deal of enthusiasm and excitement. Lafayette’s Tour extended from 1824 to 1825. During this time, he visited Washington, D.C., as well as major cities and small communities across 24 states.

General Lafayette ended his two-year tour of America with many celebrations in Washington, D.C. in early September 1825. He then boarded the steamship Mount Vernon to travel south on the Potomac River on September 7th. By September 9th, he arrived near St. Mary’s, Maryland, where the frigate Brandywine was waiting for him to board to depart for France.

The Brandywine proceeded south through the Chesapeake Bay, and Lafayette passed by Cape Henry on September 9, 1825, and the lighthouse was his final view of the American soil he had fought to help free from British control and spent two years touring. Lafayette safely arrived in France just under a month later, on October 4th.