Dr. Jeff Wells, vice president of online academics and professor of history at Georgia Military College serves as chairman of the Baldwin County Lafayette Bicentennial Celebration Committee, which hosted the 200th Anniversary Celebration of General Lafayette’s visit to Milledgeville on Wednesday, March 26.
Gilbert du Motier, known as the Marquis de Lafayette, was a French nobleman and military leader who fought in the American Revolution at the battles of Brandywine in Pennsylvania and Yorktown, Virginia. Forty years later, he returned to the United States to tour all 24 states and stayed in Milledgeville from March 27-29, 1825. A historical marker for “Lafayette’s Trail” stands next to Georgia’s Old Governor’s Mansion, where the Government House, which Lafayette stayed in, stood before the mansion was completed in 1839.
“In 1824, the United States was in the throes of a very contentious national presidential election. Our country was divided and in turmoil. President James Monroe thought it would be a good idea to bring back the last living American General from the Revolutionary War for a short tour of popular cities as a way to celebrate the nation’s 50th anniversary and reignite its patriotism,” states the The American Friends of Lafayette website.
The American Friends of Lafayette created a bicentennial committee that consists of over 500 individuals representing all 24 states. The celebration kicked off August 16, 2024, with numerous events planned to trace Lafayette’s footsteps on the exact dates and order he followed on his tour of America.
“His visit to Milledgeville in 1825 included quite the celebration that involved nearly the entire community,” said Wells. “Lafayette is known as a hero in two nations, as he not only championed the cause of freedom and human rights here in America but as he returned to his native France, he championed the cause of Freedom there as part of the French Revolution.
“He is one of the authors of the first draft of the Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen, a document akin to the Declaration of Independence, which secured his place amongst the great crusaders for human rights in world history.”
Discussion of the Milledgeville’s celebration began in winter of 2024 and planning kicked off in the spring. The celebration was held on Grant Parade Field at Georgia Military College near the Old Capital Building, where Wells stated Lafayette spoke to the community of Milledgeville 200 years before.
In attendance were Senior Vice President of GMC’s Junior College Col. Nelson Craft, Georgia College President Cathy Cox, representatives from the Sons of the American Revolution and Daughters of the American Revolution, Milledgeville Mayor Mary Parham-Copelan, County Commission Chair Andrew Strickland, French attaché of the United States Delphine Jeroudi from the French Consulate in Atlanta, who represented the president and people of France, and Executive Director Chuck Schwam of The American Friends of Lafayette.
“Chuck Schwam only attended one event in the Georgia tour and decided to come to Milledgeville because of the depth of the program,” said Wells.
About 250 people were in attendance at the opening ceremony with high numbers at the following events of the evening as well, according to Wells.
“It was a true community event with representatives at each event throughout the day,” said Wells.
“Revolutionaries like Lafayette are still celebrated today because they came face to face with enormous challenges and the risks associated with rebellion, but they took action anyway because their values were larger than their fears,” said Cox at the community ceremony. “Liberty, equality and freedom, that’s what they were fighting for, and here we are 200 years later, still amplifying that message, still remembering. Let us all continue to amplify the ideals that made him a hero and built our nation.”
Parham-Copelan read a proclamation naming March 26 “Marquis de Lafayette Day,” which encouraged citizens to celebrate his legacy and his farewell tour. Strickland followed her presentation, reading a proclamation deeming March 26 “Lafayette’s Farewell Tour of Georgia” Day. The Marquis de Lafayette, portrayed by Charles Wissinger of Virginia, accepted the proclamations from each local leader.
Alongside Lafayette, Georgia Governor George M. Troup, portrayed by Rick Joslyn, was present at the ceremony and The Sons of the American Revolution and Daughters of the American Revolution wore authentic clothing “to bring history to life.”
“All the questions of our future can be answered by looking in the past,” said Schwam.
To honor that history, GMC Prep hosted a contest for kindergarteners called “Pronounce Lafayette’s Full Name in French.” The winners were Hadley Pearce and Ziv Sigman, who received gift certificates to Dairy Queen. Their teacher, Laurie Tyson, also received gift certificates to Zaxby’s.
“When the Marquis de Lafayette arrived here 200 years ago, he was warmly received … today that same spirit of warmth and hospitality continues to be felt,” said Jeroudi. “Long live the relationship between France and the United States.”
The meeting closed with a speech from Lafayette himself and later that afternoon a wreath-laying ceremony with over 100 attendees was held at the Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery, where the marquis honored seven Revolutionary War soldiers at rest.