2024 marks the bicentennial of Gen. Lafayette’s return to America in 1824. During this bicentennial celebration, each locality (where he visited) will host events to honor our nations guest. Below you’ll find some of the events Portsmouth will be hosting. These celebrations and events are part of the lead up to the America 250 and Virginia 250 commemorations in July 2026. Visit Portsmouth VA250 page to find what’s on the agenda next!
Wednesdays – “Vive Lafayette” A Special Showing of Historic Hill House
From 12-3pm, the museums tour highlights period decorations and details about General Lafayette’s Portsmouth visit of 1824. Docents share new research uncovering unknown connections between the Hill Family ancestors, General Lafayette’s 1824 visit, and post commemorative events. The showing is included with admission cost of $5.
Dates: Oct 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th.
Oct 5th – Frank Womble’s Lecture at the Hill House Museum
Frank Womble, a member of the Board of Governors for the American Friends of Lafayette, lectures at 2 pm about Lafayette’s visits to Hampton Roads in 1824 and 1825 and local plans commemorating those visits in 2024/2025. Light refreshments served. The museum is open from 12-3. Tickets are $5 cash per person and includes admission to the museum.
Oct 12th – Tidewater Winds Brass Quintet at the Hill House Museum
The garden performance begins at 1 PM including several pieces composed and performed for Lafayette during his Farewell Tour. Three museum interpreters, “The Men of the House,” add a theatrical element to the performance describing the Hill family’s connections to General Lafayette’s visit. The museum is open from 12-3. Tickets are $5 cash per person and includes admission to the museum.
Oct 18th – Heart of LaFayette Unveiling at Post Secondary
Post Secondary Brewing will unveil its limited edition “Heart of Lafayette” in honor of The Nation’s Guest! This Biere Blanche (White Beer), with notes of orange, apricot, and coriander will be offered throughout Portsmouth’s weeklong celebration and commemoration of Lafayette’s 1824 Return to Portsmouth. The cask will be covered with the American and French flags and unveiled by James Fayette and Virginie Lafayette, after which Mayor Shannon Glover will tap the barrel. Throughout the event, toasts will be made in honor of the General, with Mayor Glover raising the first glass!.
Oct 19th – It’s Revolutionary at the Main Library
Oct 19th – Julia Dunn’s Lecture at the Hill House Museum
Julie Dunn, the Hill House Museum Board member and local researcher lectures at 1 pm detailing General Lafayette’s visit to Portsmouth. She is joined by “The Women of the House,” three museum interpreters describing Hill family connections to General Lafayette’s visit. Light refreshments served. The museum is open from 12-3 pm. Tickets are $5 cash per person and includes admission to the museum.
Oct 19th – Maritime Dimensions of Lafayette’s Return
Join us for another free Speaker Series by the Friends of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum, Featuring The Maritime Dimension of Lafayette’s Return by Dr. Ingo Heidbrink. This event will take place at the Portsmouth Welcome Center Auditorium, at 206 High St at 3pm. This event is free and open to the public. Dr. Heidbrink, is the Chairman of History at Old Dominion University- Professor of Maritime History, the President-International Maritime History Assn., and an International Scholar and Author.
Oct 22nd – Light the Elizabeth River
Oct 25th- Lafayette Day
City Park– The Fort Nelson Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will rededicate the centennial monument to mark the passing of another 100 years at 9am. The marker was originally placed at City Park in October 1924 to commemorate the hundredth anniversary of the return of the Marquis de Lafayette to Portsmouth in 1924. We are now recognizing the 200th anniversary. Then, at 10 am, Gen. Lafayette arrives to view Virginia Youth Regiment’s (YVR) reenactment of the Battle at Scotts Creek.
North Landing– Lafayette and Virginie arrive by boat at 2 pm. There they will be welcomed by Mayor Glover, James & Sylvia Fayette, and school age children. Once the greetings are completed, they will lead the children to the Marquis de Lafayette Park for a ceremony. After, they will board a carriage and head down North St.
Visit to Historic Emanuel AME – Greetings will be by Frederick Douglass at 3 pm. They will also will be welcomed by Pastor Sylvester & Mrs. “Frankie” Colvin for a 20-minute program, which includes a brief history of the church by Pastor Colvin, followed by a brief address by LaFayette.
Parade to Triumphal Arch – Lafayette and notables will re-board the carriage heading to Green St, then High St. They will first head to the historical marker where the original arch stood, to stop to admire it before heading to the Triumphal Arch for a ceremony at 3:45
Progressive Dinner – Enjoy an evening at the Bain House (Cornwallis Headquarters) for Cocktails & Hors d’oeuvres at 7pm. Followed the main course at the Grice House at 7:30 pm. After, head over to the Historic Hill House Museum for dessert at 8:30 pm. This is a ticketed event and tickets will go on sale soon.
Oct 26th- Farewell Tea with General Lafayette at the Hill House
Partnering with the Fort Nelson Chapter of the Portsmouth DAR, the museum hosts a tea featuring Mark Schneider, nationally acclaimed General Marquis de Lafayette interpreter. He will discuss Lafayette’s Farewell Tour of 1824/1825 highlighting Portsmouth events. Museum interpreters entertain by describing the Hill family’s connections to Lafayette’s visit. Menu items include traditional tea sandwiches, French pastry desserts, and specialty brew, Five Sisters Tea, a signature blend sold exclusively by the museum. Ticket prices are $35 for museum members and $45 for non-members.
Oct 26th – Victory in the Battle of the Virginia Capes
Join us for another Speaker Series by the Friends of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum, featuring Lafayette’s Victory in the Battle of the Virginia Capes by John V. Quarstein. This event will be at the Portsmouth Welcome Center Auditorium from 3- 4:30 pm at 206 High St and is free and open to the public. John V. Quarstein, is the Director Emeritus, USS Monitor Center; and an award winning author, historian, and preservationist.
For all the latest information regarding Gen. Lafayette’s Portsmouth return, visit HERE
Lafayette Returns to Portsmouth, VA.
August 2, 2024
Lafayette Events Around Portsmouth
2024 marks the bicentennial of Gen. Lafayette’s return to America in 1824. During this bicentennial celebration, each locality (where he visited) will host events to honor our nations guest. Below you’ll find some of the events Portsmouth will be hosting. These celebrations and events are part of the lead up to the America 250 and Virginia 250 commemorations in July 2026. Visit Portsmouth VA250 page to find what’s on the agenda next!
Wednesdays – “Vive Lafayette” A Special Showing of Historic Hill House
Dates: Oct 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th.
Oct 5th – Frank Womble’s Lecture at the Hill House Museum
Frank Womble, a member of the Board of Governors for the American Friends of Lafayette, lectures at 2 pm about Lafayette’s visits to Hampton Roads in 1824 and 1825 and local plans commemorating those visits in 2024/2025. Light refreshments served. The museum is open from 12-3. Tickets are $5 cash per person and includes admission to the museum.
Oct 12th – Tidewater Winds Brass Quintet at the Hill House Museum
The garden performance begins at 1 PM including several pieces composed and performed for Lafayette during his Farewell Tour. Three museum interpreters, “The Men of the House,” add a theatrical element to the performance describing the Hill family’s connections to General Lafayette’s visit. The museum is open from 12-3. Tickets are $5 cash per person and includes admission to the museum.
Oct 18th – Heart of LaFayette Unveiling at Post Secondary
Post Secondary Brewing will unveil its limited edition “Heart of Lafayette” in honor of The Nation’s Guest! This Biere Blanche (White Beer), with notes of orange, apricot, and coriander will be offered throughout Portsmouth’s weeklong celebration and commemoration of Lafayette’s 1824 Return to Portsmouth. The cask will be covered with the American and French flags and unveiled by James Fayette and Virginie Lafayette, after which Mayor Shannon Glover will tap the barrel. Throughout the event, toasts will be made in honor of the General, with Mayor Glover raising the first glass!.
Oct 19th – It’s Revolutionary at the Main Library
Oct 19th – Julia Dunn’s Lecture at the Hill House Museum
Julie Dunn, the Hill House Museum Board member and local researcher lectures at 1 pm detailing General Lafayette’s visit to Portsmouth. She is joined by “The Women of the House,” three museum interpreters describing Hill family connections to General Lafayette’s visit. Light refreshments served. The museum is open from 12-3 pm. Tickets are $5 cash per person and includes admission to the museum.
Oct 19th – Maritime Dimensions of Lafayette’s Return
Oct 22nd – Light the Elizabeth River
Oct 25th- Lafayette Day
City Park– The Fort Nelson Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will rededicate the centennial monument to mark the passing of another 100 years at 9am. The marker was originally placed at City Park in October 1924 to commemorate the hundredth anniversary of the return of the Marquis de Lafayette to Portsmouth in 1924. We are now recognizing the 200th anniversary. Then, at 10 am, Gen. Lafayette arrives to view Virginia Youth Regiment’s (YVR) reenactment of the Battle at Scotts Creek.
North Landing– Lafayette and Virginie arrive by boat at 2 pm. There they will be welcomed by Mayor Glover, James & Sylvia Fayette, and school age children. Once the greetings are completed, they will lead the children to the Marquis de Lafayette Park for a ceremony. After, they will board a carriage and head down North St.
Visit to Historic Emanuel AME – Greetings will be by Frederick Douglass at 3 pm. They will also will be welcomed by Pastor Sylvester & Mrs. “Frankie” Colvin for a 20-minute program, which includes a brief history of the church by Pastor Colvin, followed by a brief address by LaFayette.
Parade to Triumphal Arch – Lafayette and notables will re-board the carriage heading to Green St, then High St. They will first head to the historical marker where the original arch stood, to stop to admire it before heading to the Triumphal Arch for a ceremony at 3:45
Oct 26th- Farewell Tea with General Lafayette at the Hill House
Oct 26th – Victory in the Battle of the Virginia Capes
For all the latest information regarding Gen. Lafayette’s Portsmouth return, visit HERE