LANCASTER, PA — On Thursday, March 20, presenters Bruce Mowday, Dr. Louise Stevenson, Ben Webber, and Sarah Alberico will join LancasterHistory for the panel discussion, "An Adopted Son of America: Perspectives on the Marquis de Lafayette." Fifty years after fighting for the American cause in the Revolutionary War, the Marquis de Lafayette returned to the United States, visiting all 24 states on a 13-month farewell tour that included three days of festivities in Lancaster. Four local historians will explore who Lafayette was, what he believed, and what he did here when he passed through Central Pennsylvania in July 1825. 

To commemorate 200 years since Lafayette's American Farewell Tour, the American Friends of Lafayette's Bicentennial Project has created nationwide excitement and plans for hundreds of events to trace Lafayette's tour on the exact dates and in the exact order he visited in the 1800s. LancasterHistory is pleased to host the March 20 panel discussion with the Lafayette200 Bicentennial Planning Committee of Lancaster and Western Chester Counties. This event is also part of LancasterHistory's Regional History Colloquium Series, which features historians and other scholars presenting research on issues related to southeastern Pennsylvania and its wider borders.

“We’re thrilled to be co-hosting this panel discussion with the Lafayette200 Bicentennial Planning Committee,” said Mabel Rosenheck, Director of Education and Exhibition Planning. “It’s a great story and a great lens for exploring the history of Lancaster County. We’re looking forward to the presentation and everything else the committee has planned for this summer!”

Speakers for the panel discussion include:

Bruce E. Mowday, author and newspaper reporter, who will give an overview of the life of the Marquis de Lafayette before, during, and after the Revolutionary War.

Dr. Louise Stevenson, professor emerita of history and American studies at Franklin & Marshall College, who will discuss the statements of human rights that Lafayette borrowed from the founding documents of the United States.

Ben Webber, civil engineer and local historian, who will trace the Marquis de Lafayette’s travels in Lancaster County when he visited during his farewell tour of 1824-25.

Sarah Alberico, Curator at Historic Rock Ford, who will highlight the objects to be included in Rock Ford’s upcoming exhibit, “1825: Lafayette in Lancaster.”

EVENT DETAILS & HOW TO REGISTER

This event will take place in person at LancasterHistory, 230 N. President Avenue in Lancaster, on Thursday, March 20, 2025. Doors open and a reception begins at 5pm. The panel discussion will begin at 5:30pm. The presentation will also be streamed to Zoom at 5:30pm for those who wish to join virtually.

This program is free and open to the public. In-person attendance requires advance registration in order to guarantee a seat. Due to capacity restrictions, tickets may not be available at the door. Virtual attendance requires advance registration in order to receive the Zoom link. Register online by clicking the appropriate link below or by calling (717) 392-4633. Registration will close online on Thursday, March 20 at 5:30pm.

REGISTER TO ATTEND IN PERSON

REGISTER TO ATTEND ONLINE

About LancasterHistory

LancasterHistory is a community-based, not-for-profit organization established to educate the public on the history of Lancaster County and its place in the history of Pennsylvania and the United States, to advance the missions of regional historical organizations, and to promote the acquisition, preservation, and interpretation of resources representing the history of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania within the broader context of state and national history, including the homes of 15th US President James Buchanan and Congressman Thaddeus Stevens and Lydia Hamilton Smith.

# # # #