Guide to Celebration Exhibits
The 200th Anniversary Celebration of Marquis de Lafayette’s Farewell Tour will include two days of FREE historical exploration of Fayetteville’s rich history, dating back more than 250 years, with the following FREE events:
INFANTRY MUSEUM TOUR
Brief tours of the Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry Museum (210 Burgess St.) will be held on Tuesday, March 4, and Wednesday, March 5. At the museum, you can see the carriage the Marquis rode in while touring Fayetteville.
The tours are FREE, but reservations are required. Send your name, physical mailing address, and preferred time to lafayetteanniversary2025@gmail.com.
Tours start every 30 minutes: Tuesday and Wednesday morning tours are from 10 a.m. to 12 noon (last tour begins at 11:30 a.m.) Afternoon tours are from 2 to 5 p.m. (the last tour starts at 4:30 p.m.)
FAYETTEVILLE HISTORY MUSEUM
See the Lafayette exhibit at the Fayetteville History Museum at 325 Franklin St. The display features items from the Marquis’ visit and documents like the Liberty Point Resolves. The historic decree proposed separation from England a year before the Declaration of Independence. Lafayette’s handwritten response to his welcome here and other historical artifacts will be on display. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.
MUSEUM OF THE CAPE FEAR
Visit the Museum of the Cape Fear (801 Arsenal Avenue in the Historic Haymount District) to see the bed Lafayette slept in while visiting Fayetteville. The extravagant four-poster bed resided in the home of nobleman Duncan MacRae, whose descendants handed it down from generation to generation.
ARTS COUNCIL OF FAYETTEVILLE / CUMBERLAND COUNTY
Located at 301 Hay Street in Historic Downtown Fayetteville, the Arts Council will exhibit unique works of art that highlight Fayetteville at the time of Lafayette’s visit. Presenters will talk about what life would be like for Lafayette if he were to travel to today or the future. Experience these artistic expressions by these talented artists. Hours are Saturday, March 1, noon – 6 p.m.; Sunday, March 2, 2 – 6 p.m.; and Monday through Friday, March 3 -7, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
METHODIST UNIVERSITY LAFAYETTE EXHIBIT
The Davis Library at Methodist University (5400 Ramsey St.) will host a one-day open house exhibiting one of the nation’s largest collections of rare, 200-year-old souvenirs and artifacts from Lafayette’s Farewell Tour of America. The collection includes two dozen letters written by the Marquis. The open house will be Wednesday, March 5, 1 – 5 p.m.
LAFAYETTE TRAIL
See the actual Fayetteville locations Lafayette visited during his farewell tour by navigating the Lafayette Trail. For a better experience, download the free TravelStories app on your phone by searching for “Lafayette” in your favorite Android or Apple app store. Or visit the Distinctly Fayetteville visitor center website (www.distinctlyfayettevillenc.com) and type “Heritage Trails” into the search bar.
While visiting Historic Downtown Fayetteville, do a little shopping in one of our unique Mom and Pop stores and have a bite to eat at one of the many popular restaurants. All our Downtown businesses are independent and operated locally, in buildings that date back 100-150 years!
See below for other related events that will lead up to the March 2025 main festivities.