Free Spirit

“Ev’ryone give it up for America's favorite fighting Frenchman

Lafayette!”

You may know the song, but do you know the man? Maybe you picture Daveed Diggs in his Tony-award winning performance in Hamilton when you think of the Marquis de Lafayette. But next week, you can discover more about Lafayette’s legacy through public programs that commemorate his Farewell Tour of America.

In 1825, Lafayette stopped in Cincinnati during that tour. In honor of the bicentennial of his visit, a public celebration will be held, hosted by Cincinnati-area Chapters of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Sons of the American Revolution, the American Friends of Lafayette, the Cincinnati-Lafayette Masonic Lodge No. 483, and the Alliance Francaise de Cincinnati.

The keynote speaker will be Julien Icher, a French geographer and historian. Icher is the founder and president of The Lafayette Trail, a nonprofit organization interpreting the significance of Lafayette’s legacy. With more than seven years dedicated to the subject, Icher is widely regarded as one of the leading authorities on Lafayette’s 1824–25 visit to the U.S.

Stepping up to represent Lafayette during the events is Michael Halbert. A retired civilian defense intelligence officer, Halbert served more than 37 years in a variety of foreign engagement postings, including within the Defense Intelligence Agency as the representative to the French Services at the U.S. Embassy in Paris. He speaks French fluently and both French and English are used interchangeably in his home. In 2006, upon nomination by the French Military Mission, Embassy of France in Washington, DC, he was decorated with France's second highest order of chivalry, the Ordre National du Mérite.  

Lafayette’s Farewell Tour in 1824–25

Lafayette was invited to return to America with the hope that he might bring a renewed unity and patriotic fervor back to American citizens being torn apart by a divisive presidential campaign. Lafayette gladly accepted the invitation to return to the country where he fought along-side George Washington in the American Revolution and helped to secure our independence.  Lafayette’s tour covered more than 6,000 miles, traveling to all 24 states and “Washington City.”

The American Friends of Lafayette is recreating his Farewell Tour by following the same itinerary he used in 1824-1825 with events to be held in all 24 states and 290+ cities visited by Lafayette. The goal is to “Celebrate, Commemorate and Educate” with an emphasis on human rights, Franco-American Alliance, and linking the past to the present.

For more, visit http://www.Lafayette200.com

Halbert currently engages in historical interpretation of a variety of researched colonial and Revolutionary War figures at sites in Alexandria, Jamestown, and Yorktown, Virginia, Washington, DC, and Annapolis, Maryland. In 2023 he became the official Lieutenant General comte de Rochambeau interpreter for Mount Vernon, and in 2024 added Major General von Steuben to his repertoire there, appearing routinely in both of these roles at appropriate events.

Monday, May 19
Ceremony to Welcome Lafayette
Public Landing, 11 a.m.
An interpreter will portray Lafayette in period clothing and language, and Vice Mayor Jan-Michele Kearney will give remarks at the exact location where he was received in 1825. 

Lafayette 200 Dinner and Costume Ball at Cincinnati Masonic Center, 317 E. Fifth St., 6:30 p.m. keynote speaker is Julien Icher, president and founder of The Lafayette Trail, Inc. Lafayette artifacts will be on display. Buy tickets at http://www.annualcommunication.com/   

Tuesday, May 20
Tribute to Frances Wright
Spring Grove Cemetery
4521 Spring Grove Ave., 10:30 a.m
Historians and podcasters Tristra Yeager and Eleanor Rust. They will speak about Frances Wright, a close friend of Lafayette’s who was born in Scotland in 1795, joined him on his Farewell Tour, and settled in Cincinnati where she died in 1852. Wright was a thought-leader of her time who influenced Lafayette in the belief of equality between men and women.  Both Lafayette and Wright will be represented by period interpreters. Following the presentations, a wreath-laying ceremony takes place at Frances Wright’s gravesite. Free and open to the public. Link to RSVP: http://www.annualcommunication.com/

An exhibit of Lafayette-themed rare books and artifacts are on view in The Cincinnati Room at the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County at 800 Vine Street, and a display of artifacts at the Cincinnati Museum Center at 1301 Western Ave. in front of the Cincinnati History Library and Archives on the lower level. Educational materials for school-age children are available at library branches. 

During Monday evening’s event, Maestro Laurence Bonhaus and the Cincinnati Civic Orchestra will provide music for the ball as the Dance Mistress Jeanette Watts, a historic dance instructor, will guide guest through a Grand March and offer dance instruction throughout the evening.