Lafayette 200 Annapolis Events
Annapolis’ Celebration of the Return of General Lafayette
Schedule of Events
Event Parking
For parking information, visit our parking page for available lots and garages within Annapolis.
Events
Friday, December 13th to Sunday, December 15th
Open house weekend for the following museums:
Chase Lloyd House Dependency, corner of Maryland Avenue & King George Street (Sunday only)
Hammond Harwood House, 19 Maryland Avenue (admissions fee)
Museum of Historic Annapolis, 99 Main Street, Annapolis (Friday - Sunday, admission fee)
United States Naval Academy Museum, (Preble Hall), corner of Maryland Avenue and Decatur Road. Valid government ID required for access to Naval Academy grounds (Saturday - Sunday, no admission fee)
Watermark, 188 Main Street, Annapolis 12:00pm – 4:00pm (Saturday only)
Additional Information & Events:
Tuesday, December 10th, 7pm
Virtual Lecture with Dr. Amy Rosenkrans, Maryland Women and Lafayette
Image courtesy of Historic Annapolis, Inc.
The Marquis de Lafayette made quite an impression on the women of Maryland during his many trips to the state. Henrietta Ogle, Elizabeth Cairnes Poe, and Eliza Ridgely were just a few of those women. Join Dr. Amy Rosenkrans to learn about the impact that “America’s Favorite Fighting Frenchman” had on the female population of Maryland.
Register Here
Friday, December 13th – Sunday, December 15th
Remembering Lafayette at the Museum of Historic Annapolis
1824 portrait of the Marquis de Lafayette by Ary Sheffer. Image courtesy of Museum of Historic Annapolis.
Celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Marquis de Lafayette’s 1824-25 tour of the United States!
Throughout the weekend, Historic Annapolis will be offering special activities and events to mark this momentous anniversary. At the Museum of Historic Annapolis, become immersed in the highlights of Lafayette’s remarkable life through a traveling exhibit created by the American Friends of Lafayette, on display in the Partner Room. Throughout the weekend, families can partake in a special craft activity and learn more about Lafayette and the country’s beginnings through a curated selection of children’s books in the Anne Arundel County Public Library Book Nook.
Register Here
Saturday, December 14th
Children’s Games from Long Ago, presented by Chesapeake Children’s Museum
Learn the rules of Nine Men’s Morris and other games! Activities like these were brought to Annapolis in colonial times and are still played today. Children will also make button whirligigs, an ancient toy that was easy to make with on-hand materials.
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Storytime at the Museum: A Spy Called James
Image courtesy of Historic Annapolis, Inc.
Join Historic Annapolis for a special storytime and read A Spy Called James: The True Story of James Lafayette, Revolutionary War Double Agent by Anne Rockwell.
Special Appearance: Meet James Lafayette Between 11 AM And 3 PM
Portrayed by historical interpreter Stephen Seals, visitors can learn the story of James Lafayette, a spy who gained his freedom through his brave and heroic actions during the Revolutionary War. The Marquis de Lafayette intervened personally in 1784, detailing James’ service during the Revolution. To honor their friendship, James Lafayette adopted Lafayette as his surname.
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Open House and Author’s Storytime with children’s author, Selene Castrovilla, “Revolutionary: Friends General George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette," presented by Watermark
Special guest appearances by George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette. Children’s crafts and activities will be available.
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Colonial Walking Tour with Lafayette focus (USNA add-on option), presented by Watermark
Enjoy a special edition tour in celebration of the Bicentennial of the Marquis de Lafayette's Farewell Tour.
Maryland State House Tour with Lafayette focus (USNA add-on option), presented by Watermark
Enjoy a special edition tour in celebration of the Bicentennial of the Marquis de Lafayette's Farewell Tour.
Lafayette in Annapolis- 200 Years Ago. 3:00pm hosted at Hammond Harwood House, 19 Maryland Avenue
When Lafayette arrived in Annapolis in 1781, The Atlantic Monthly quoted Mrs. Margaret Ogle, “The divine Marquis de la Fayette is in town, and is quite the thing.” Lafayette made several trips to Annapolis, but his last visit in 1824 was part of an extensive tour from New Hampshire to Louisiana.
The Hammond-Harwood House is proud to have in its collection a ribbon likely worn by Judge Jeremiah Townley Chase, who was on the Annapolis welcoming committee for Lafayette’s visit. Judge Chase was owner of Hammond-Harwood House, which he purchased for his daughter, Frances Loockerman, and her family.
The ribbon and a commemorative Lafayette bowl of the period will be on view in the Hammond-Harwood House Introductory Gallery, which is free and open to the public December 13-15 as Annapolis celebrates the 200th anniversary of his visit.
On December 14 at 3 p.m., Hammond-Harwood House will offer a special Lafayette tour focused on the Annapolis of 200 years ago and featuring additional objects related to Lafayette’s visit – a miniature portrait of Lafayette, a French Dubuc ormolu clock commissioned by the Marquis in honor of Washington, and portraits of prominent Annapolitans of 1824.
Book Talk and Signing by Bruce Mowday, author of “The Battle of Brandywine”, hosted by St. John’s College
Image courtesy of St. John's College.
Music for Marquis de Lafayette at Chesapeake Children’s Museum
Image courtesy of Chesapeake Children's Museum.
Live music in historic costume, performed by David and Ginger Hildebrand. Miss Debbie leads everyone in a popular line dance of the time. Supported by a grant from the Institute for Museum and Library Sciences.
Register Here
A Night of Splendour and Elegance: Lafayette Bicentennial Grand Ball
Come relive this magical evening with Historic Annapolis in the Grand Ballroom of McDowell Hall, complete with costumed reenactors and a visit from the Marquis himself!
Guests will be guided through the steps of the popular dances of the day by dance master, Corky Palmer, and accompanied by live period music coordinated by Dr. David Hildebrand, chair of the Lafayette 200 Music Committee. Guests will enjoy champagne and French-inspired sweet and savory seasonal delights!
Register Here
Sunday, December 15th
Brunch with General Lafayette and Mary Nevette Steele
Lecture by Glenn Campbell. Bottomless Bloody Mary’s and mimosas with a choice of breakfast entrees: the American Breakfast, Classic Benedict, or French Toast. Parking is available next door at Hillman’s garage for the full day of Lafayette activities.
Register Here
ASO Youth Orchestra
ASO Youth Orchestra playing music of the time of Marquis de Lafayette at Chase Lloyd House Dependency on King George’s Street, Annapolis. 12:30 P.M. - 1:30 P.M.
The local string band, The Blue Jays, will be playing a vernacular piece named “Lafayette” in his honor along with other period pieces from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Bicentennial Concert at State House for General Lafayette. 2:30 P.M. - 4:30 P.M.
Marking the 200th anniversary of Lafayette's Grand Tour, long-time Annapolis musicians/music historians, David & Ginger Hildebrand, will perform songs and instrumental pieces in the General's honor. Within the luscious surroundings of the refurbished Old House of Delegates Chambers, this concert will feature a variety of patriotic songs, ballads, dance tunes and marches, interspersed with spoken historical introductions -- all presented in costume and upon instruments appropriate to the period.
At the invitation of Congress and President Monroe, the French/American General Lafayette came to tour America for more than a year, 1824-25. As one of the few surviving heroes of the American Revolution, the aged Frenchman traveled to all 24 states and was greeted by massive public celebrations - dinners, balls, military displays and more. The city of Annapolis followed suit then and will again this December 15, 2024. Must bring state ID to enter Statehouse.
The music begins at 2:30 pm, and will run for approximately an hour, followed by a Q&A with David, Ginger, and a modern-day Lafayette! For more questions and inquiries, contact the Annapolis Friends of Lafayette at lafayettannapolis@gmail.com. Come join and revel in the history and sounds of 1824, celebrating this influential French/American hero!
