Historic Halifax State Historic Site will mark the 200th anniversary of the Marquis de Lafayette’s historic visit to the town with special programming on Thursday, Feb. 27.
Beginning at 1 p.m., visitors are invited to tour Historic Halifax’s historic buildings and interact with costumed interpreters engaged in living history demonstrations. At 5 p.m., cannon fire and ringing bells will announce Lafayette's arrival by horse-drawn carriage. The actor portraying Lafayette will be welcomed at the Eagle Tavern to greet everyone assembled. Then, he'll proceed to a festive dinner at The Hen and The Hog Restaurant.
The dinner program will reenact the hospitality of the citizens of Halifax, who celebrated their distinguished guest with 13 toasts in 1825. The dinner, hosted by Royal White Hart Lodge #2 and the American Friends of the Marquis de Lafayette, is sold out.
Nearly 50 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, President James Monroe invited the Marquis de Lafayette to tour the United States. Lafayette, the French hero of the American Revolution, stopped in Halifax on Feb. 27, 1825. He stayed at the Eagle Tavern and spoke about liberty and freedom. At the time, Lafayette was the last surviving major general of the Revolutionary War.
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.