Historical marker commemorating Lafayette's 1824 visit to Jamestown to be unveiled on Jan. 10

*A sign commemorating Lafayette’s historic visit to Jamestown will be unveiled at a ceremony on Jan. 10. (Photo courtesy of The Lafayette Trail)*

JAMES CITY COUNTY – A Lafayette Trail historical marker will be officially unveiled this weekend in James City County.

The installation marks the commemoration of Marquis de Lafayette’s visit to Jamestown, Virginia, during his Farewell Tour of the United States on Oct. 22, 1824. The VA250 event will feature reenactors, an artillery piece and a special salute to General Lafayette.

A legendary Revolutionary War hero, Lafayette was invited by President James Monroe to tour the United States as the “Nation’s Guest” on the country’s 50th anniversary. He received widespread adulation and was greeted with parades, balls, dinners and other celebratory events, according to the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.

“We have reached an incredible milestone that brings into focus the marvelous collaborations taking place among people, organizations, and communities to recognize Lafayette’s impact on national history,” said Julien Icher, president and founder of The Lafayette Trail.

While the notorious farewell tour included more than 20 American states, the general’s return to the Historic Triangle was particularly poignant. Lafayette commanded Continental Army troops during the decisive Siege of Yorktown in 1781, which led to American independence.

Yorktown recently welcomed its own historical sign commemorating Lafayette’s tour. A new marker was placed at the waterfront by the Coleman Bridge in November. Both local installations are made possible by grant funding provided by The William G. Pomeroy Foundation.

The James City County trail sign unveiling ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 10, at Jamestown Beach Event Park located at 2205 Jamestown Road. The event is free and open to the public. Guests are encouraged to park near the park’s entrance.

“There is no better time than now, during the bicentennial, to reflect on General Lafayette’s far-reaching influence,” Icher said. “The marker dedications often inspire public celebrations that bring people together.”

The Lafayette Trail, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization interpreting the legacy of General Lafayette in the U.S. and France. Its goal is to promote a greater understanding of Lafayette’s legacy by leveraging today the same material culture that Lafayette used in the 19th century to enhance the significance of his triumphal tour.

For more details about the sign unveiling, visit va250.org/localevents.