Lafayette’s Farewell Tour Visits Orange, VA
Thursday, November 14, 2024

A Day in Orange

“The Rest of the Story - or better put, why are there no Revolutionary Battlefields in this area?” Before we start our weekend, let’s explore Lafayette’s days in Central Virginia at the beginning of his Virginia Campaign of 1781 which culminated in Victory Day at Yorktown. Orange County farmers put down their plows and joined to help Lafayette in his effort to stave off Cornwallis and his larger army.

Guided Walking Tour of Orange & James Madison Museum 

 9:30am

Meet at Historic Orange Courthouse - Stop #15 in the Central Virginia Lafayette Travel Log at Lafayette200.org

Treat yourself to a guided tour of a quaint town, steeped in history. Starting with a presentation at the Orange Courthouse ca. 1854 near the original courthouse stop on Lafayette’s Farewell Tour, we will then travel up main street ending with a chance to view the Houdon bust of Lafayette at the Orange County Historical Society. Then we will enjoy several displays at the James Madison Museum.  The Museum features four permanent exhibit rooms, the  "Presidents Room", "Black History Room", "Pre-Contact and Native Americans Room", and "Hall of Agriculture and Transportation". The rotational exhibit room will feature a Lafayette exhibit.

Price: $15 includes Guided Walking Tour and Museum Admission. Afterwards, purchase lunch at one of many restaurants in Downtown Orange - browse the art galleries and shops after lunch as time allows. List provided during walking tour. Click link below to register.

Lecture “Lafayette in Virginia, 1781”      

1:00pm

Orange County Community Center in downtown Orange

We’re very excited to have John R. Maass, PhD of  The National Museum of the United States Army presenting a lecture detailing “Lafayette in Virginia, 1781” with a focus of Lafayette’s time in Orange County and nearby areas. We will end with a Q&A session and his book, “The Road to Yorktown, Jefferson, Lafayette and the British Invasion of Virginia” will also be available. Click link below to register.

Lafayette/Orange County Trivia Fun 

3:00pm

Chateau MerrillAnne Winery

At the conclusion of the lecture, we will share maps of the area with Lafayette markers and sites of interest. Some of these are located on the way to our next event located at Chateau MerrillAnne Winery. This winery in located on Marquis Road - yes, named for Lafayette’s troop march in June 1781 to cut off Cornwallis’s advance west. The proprietor is a history buff and will share his ‘Marquis Rouge’ with us. Join the local Orange County Historical Society with a challenge for what we have learned, know and need to know via a fun trivia session.

Price: $10 includes Lecture and Winery Event. Wine tasting to be purchased as preferred individually. Complementary food provided by Orange County Historical Society.

Register for this day on the Events page on the James Madison Museum’s website: CLICK HERE