Celebrate General Lafayette’s Visit to Jeffersonville in 1825
Hosted by American Friends of Lafayette Bicentennial CommitteeCommemorate the 200th anniversary of the Marquis de Lafayette’s visit to Indiana by joining a series of community celebrations.
Event Details
The Jeffersonville committee of the American Friends of Lafayette joins with area partners to host a series of programs marking the 200th anniversary of the Marquis de Lafayette’s 1825 visit to Jeffersonville, Indiana, as part of his “farewell tour” of America.
The programming series culminates with several activities on May 12, the date that Lafayette visited southern Indiana 200 years ago. Events include:
- Welcome Lafayette (10 a.m., 1101 E. River Rd., Louisville)
The public is invited to gather at the Big Four Lawn in Louisville’s Waterfront Park to welcome Lafayette as he arrives accompanied by the Old Guard Army Fife and Drum Corps. Guests may join a parade of flags to escort Lafayette across the Ohio River to Jeffersonville via the Big Four Bridge (a 20-minute walk). - Jeffersonville Celebration (1 p.m., 223 Pearl St., Jeffersonville)
Lafayette and his entourage are expected to arrive at the Big Four Station Park in Jeffersonville at approximately 1 p.m. The public is invited to join representatives from the Indiana Freemasons, Daughters of the American Revolution, and Sons of the American Revolution; local dignitaries; and descendants of Revolutionary War solider Zalmon Burritt in the festivities. Activities will include the dedication of the Unknown Revolutionary War Patriots Memorial, the planting of two trees in nearby Veterans Memorial Park, and a reception featuring food, nonalcoholic drinks, and toasts to President George Washington and other heroes of the American Revolution. - Play and Reception (7 to 9 p.m., 200 E. Gray St., Louisville)
The Kentucky Freemasons welcome Lafayette at the Louisville Scottish Rite, where the public is invited to enjoy a play for Lafayette followed by a reception.
The event organizers encourage those interested in the May 12 activities to follow the American Friends of Lafayette’s Facebook page and monitor its website for updated details.
For more information, contact Bonny Wise at 502.554.5504 or wises496@gmail.com.
The events celebrating Lafayette’s visit to Indiana received support from an Indiana Humanities Action Grant.