Historic Halifax State Historic Site Marks 200th Anniversary of the Marquis de Lafayette’s Visit

Contact: Kristal Chapman, 252-583-7191

HALIFAX, N.C.– Historic Halifax State Historic Site will mark the 200th anniversary of the Marquis de Lafayette’s historic visit to the town with special programming on Thursday, February 27.

Beginning at 1 p.m., visitors to the site are invited to tour Historic Halifax’s historic buildings and interact with costumed interpreters engaged in living history demonstrations.

At 5 p.m., cannon fire and ringing bells will announce the arrival of “Lafayette” in a horse-drawn carriage. The actor portraying Lafayette will be welcomed at the Eagle Tavern to offer greetings to all assembled and a Proclamation will be read designating the day to Honor the Marquis de Lafayette. Then, he’ll proceed to a festive dinner at The Hen and The Hog Restaurant.

The dinner program will reenact the hospitality of the citizens of Halifax, who celebrated their distinguished guest with thirteen toasts in 1825. The dinner, hosted by Royal White Hart Masonic Lodge #2 and the American Friends of the Marquis de Lafayette, is sold out.

Nearly 50 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, President James Monroe invited the Marquis de Lafayette to tour the United States. Lafayette, the French hero of the American Revolution, stopped in Halifax on February 27, 1825. He stayed at the Eagle Tavern and gave a speech about liberty and freedom. At the time, Lafayette was the last surviving major general of the Revolutionary War.

About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources

The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.

The department manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.