Biddeford Cultural and Heritage Center, Biddeford Historical Society, and McArthur Library have been working together, along with the American Friends of Lafayette, and including the Rebecca Emery Chapter of the DAR, to plan a special event recognizing the 200th anniversary of Marquis de Lafayette’s final tour of the USA and his visit to Biddeford on June 24th, 1825.

We would like to invite you all to join us as part of this special event.When Lafayette visited in 1825, he was met by a multitude of people, mayors, city representatives, and militia. Bands played, and people cheered him on as a national hero. We hope to have a significant showing and greeting from the citizens of Biddeford, repeating this experience.

The event will begin at 5:30 pm on Tuesday, June 24th on the grounds of McArthur Library (This will be inside if there is inclement weather). There will be a small reception and Alumni Band members will be present to play music of that era. Traditional food & drink of the 1820s will be available.

The Marquis de Lafayette will arrive (in costume) with his entourage at 6 pm for a meet and greet with the people of Biddeford/Saco.

At 6:30 pm, Alan R. Hoffman, Esq., President of American Friends of Lafayette, will speak in the Community Room in the Library. His talk is titled “Lafayette and the Farewell Tour: Odyssey of an American Idol.”

Lafayette Educational panels will be on display inside of McArthur Library from June 18-24th. The panels will be on display at the La Kermesse Festival on Saturday June 21st, at which time more info will be available in regards to who the Marquis de Lafayette was and his significance to our independence.

A schedule of all events can be found here: https://lafayette200.org/events/