The Town of Culpeper, Virginia’s Celebration of the Return of General Lafayette!

Saturday, August 23, 2025
11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.: Greenwood Reception

MILITARY RECEPTION FOR GENERAL LAFAYETTE, PRESIDENT JAMES MONROE AND
ENTOURAGE AT HISTORIC GREENWOOD

Come watch General Lafayette and President Monroe arrive in a horse-drawn carriage just as they did 200 years ago after leaving President Madison at Montpelier for the final time and arriving at historic Greenwood, home of Judge John Williams Green for a military reception. The entourage will be escorted by four mounted color guards, including the 1st Virginia Cavalry and First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry. General Lafayette will greet each Revolutionary War soldier as he did in 1825, then address the crowd of spectators alongside town and county officials. Spectators will be treated to period music, a complimentary boxed lunch, and house tours of Greenwood, where they can view period antiques and Lafayette memorabilia. This is an invitation event with 50 spaces reserved for AFL members – register soon! Free parking in one of Greenwood’s fields.

12:30 – 1:30 p.m.: Town of Culpeper Reception

PUBLIC RECEPTION FOR GENERAL LAFAYETTE, PRESIDENT JAMES MONROE AND
ENTOURAGE IN DOWNTOWN CULPEPER.

Join General Lafayette and President Monroe as they greet the citizenry of Culpeper as they did 200 years ago. The crowd will gather in the public square in front of the Museum of Culpeper History, welcomed by Culpeper’s Eastern View High School band playing “A New March for Lafayette” first composed in 1825 to celebrate Lafayette’s return to America. General Lafayette will address the crowd and invite them to participate in a series of afternoon events. Free of charge and complimentary parking in downtown lot.

1:30 – 5:00 p.m.: Town of Culpeper Events
PUBLIC EVENTS IN HONOR OF GENERAL LAFAYETTE’S VISIT, TO INCLUDE:

• Specially curated exhibit of Lafayette’s Culpeper visit at the Museum of Culpeper History featuring local highlights
• American Friends of Lafayette traveling exhibit on display at the Museum of Culpeper History
• Walking tour of sites visited by General Lafayette in 1825, hosted by local historian and published author
• Educational scavenger hunt for families, including a passport delineating sites visited by Lafayette and a special “reward” for returning a fully stamped passport to the Museum of Culpeper History
• Discounts and special offerings by local merchants along Davis and Main Streets

  All activities are free of charge with complimentary parking in downtown lot.

5:00 – 7:00 p.m. and beyond: Dining in Culpeper
LOCAL RESTAURANTS WILL OFFER FRENCH-THEMED MENU ITEMS IN HONOR OF GENERAL LAFAYETTE’S VISIT TO CULPEPER

7:00 – 11:00 p.m.: Grand Lafayette Ball

In 1825, the town of Culpeper celebrated Lafayette’s visit with a Grand Ball at Bell’s Tavern on Main Street. It was such a well-attended affair that Town leaders erected a tent in the courtyard to accommodate all guests. It has been described as the largest event of the 19th century hosted by the Town of Culpeper. In 1925, the Culpeper DAR Chapter hosted a Grand Ball at the Kettle Club to commemorate the 1825 visit. The DAR used the proceeds from the Ball to fund the Culpeper Minute Men Memorial which still stands on Main Street. In 2025, the Culpeper Minute Men are hosting a Grand Ball at Liberty Hall, the historic estate of John Green who fought fearlessly with Lafayette at many key battles. Proceeds from this Ball are being used to fund “History Week,” a 250th celebration of the Culpeper Battalion’s muster before departing to Williamsburg.   Enjoy English country dancing with a caller to a live quartet. Featuring heritage-styled hors d’oeuvres and spirits. Period costumes (Colonial to Romantic) or formal black tie attire recommended.  This is a ticketed event.

Sunday, August 24, 2025
10:00 a.m.: Colonial Allied Services Cup

To celebrate America’s French Alliance and in honor of General Lafayette’s Bicentennial visit, Liberty Hall Polo Club is hosting the 1st Annual Colonial Allied Services Cup.  This special event will be a friendly polo tournament between US Armed Forces and French Armed Forces members.  The Championship match will be held at Liberty Hall’s grass field amphitheater on August 24, 2025.  VIP tents, tailgating, and general admission will be offered for this event.  The teams will also be playing a series of preliminary games, both arena and outdoor, on Thursday and Friday proceeding Bicentennial events.

This is a ticketed event with more details to be announced.

Special hotel rates at local inns and hotels.