A statue of Revolutionary War hero Marquis de Lafayette stands in Fayetteville’s Lafayette Park.

City Celebrates Birthday of French Aristocrat
Revolutionary War hero Marquis de Lafayette

A French aristocrat who fought on behalf of American independence was treated like a mega-star when he made a stop in Cumberland County.

The Marquis de Lafayette paid a visit to Fayetteville in 1825 during his nationwide tour to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the revolution.

“Crowds of 200‚000 greeted him and his comrades in cities like New York. By the time he visited here‚ there were 30 or 40 towns in America that were named after him‚” says Hank Parfitt‚ a physician helping coordinate 250th birthday celebrations honoring the marquis.

“He was here for only 24 hours or so‚ but the visit had a huge impact and is a great part of the reason that we have wanted to pay him tribute this year.”

The city named itself for the marquis in 1783‚ when the towns of Campbellton and Cross Creek joined together.

The postal service will re-name itself Lafayette Station during the celebratory weekend that begins Sept. 6‚ 2007‚ with a series of events‚ including a children’s chorus performance at Market House‚ the site of Lafayette’s visit‚ and an appearance by re-enactor Mark Schneider of Historic Williamsburg‚ who will portray Lafayette. A birthday party will follow‚ complete with ice cream and large cakes in the shape of the United States and France. The event is free and open to the public.

On Sept. 7‚ patrons of the Metropolitan Room next to the market House will enjoy a Colonial Dinner Theatre presentation of 19th-century entertainment‚ including baroque dancers.

An Outdoor Festival of Yesteryear will take place on Sept. 8‚ featuring games and tours of the Lafayette Trail. A concert will follow that night.

Some 25 groups and organizations joined the official Lafayette 250 organization in planning the festivities‚ Parfitt says. All Americans have reason to celebrate the 250th birthday of Lafayette‚ who arrived in this country in 1777 to join the struggle for independence‚ Parfitt explains.

“He fought with distinction and fearlessness. He was at New Orleans‚ took a bullet at Brandywine and‚ of course‚ was appointed by George Washington as the commander of the Virginia Army. He was in command when the British surrendered at Yorktown.

“By the time he left to return to France‚ he was a huge hero here – on the level we might think of in our time like the Beatles or John Glenn was in the 1960s.”

For more information on Lafayette 250 events‚ please visit www.lafayette250.com.

Images of Fayetteville, NC, 2007-08 edition

Story by Warren Denney
Photo by Ian Curcio