Dr. Patricia Maclay, a lifetime member of the American Friends of Lafayette, gave a lively talk at the Brunswick Library on Oct. 30, on Lafayette’s Farewell Tour of America from August 15, 1824 to September 9, 1825, which saw the last surviving major general of the American Revolution triumphantly return from France to the country he loved — the United States. During his tour, Lafayette covered over 6,000 miles by carriage, stagecoach, canal barge, and steamboat, traveling to all 24 existing states, as well as making a historic visit to Frederick, MD. in December 1824.
Lafayette’s visit to Frederick will be re-enacted on Dec. 27-29, 2024. Preceding the December visit will be a series of educational events on Lafayette’s tour and visit to Frederick. See the “Nearly Events” calendar below for events on November 9, 14, and 24.
Lafayette visited Leesburg and Loudoun County in August 1825, and plans for a series of events commemorating his Loudoun visit next August are now underway.
The photograph above is Dr. Patricia Maclay of the American Friends of Lafayette, at the Brunswick Branch Library on October 30. (Photo: Mary Minnis, Frederick County Public Libraries)