AFL250
The Group That Brings History to Life!
It’s easy to be impressed by Lafayette’s courage and dedication to the American cause, leading to the first democracy of the modern era. His story and legacy have inspired generations—so much so that in the United States alone, numerous counties, cities, towns, schools, streets, and parks bear his name.
Even though the American Friends of Lafayette was 600 members strong when we took on the herculean task of reenacting Lafayette’s triumphal 1824-1825 return to America, no one anticipated how much we were taking on and how much we would accomplish! What we did know was that we wanted to inspire and teach this generation of Americans a renewed passion for democracy that Lafayette embodied.
How did we do? Well, let’s look at some facts:
- Our AFL membership grew by over 100% as attendees at our events throughout the tour decided that they, too, wanted to be part of Lafayette’s story. Many of these new memberships were Family memberships!
- More than 500 events over a 13-month period drew crowds that ranged from dozens to thousands. Total attendance at our events is conservatively estimated at 200,000 people!!
- Over 90% of our events were free to the public!
- Our volunteer members contributed time valued at approximately $1.2 million of support throughout the country.
- Partnerships with numerous federal, state, national and local historical groups, and civic groups contributed time valued at $600,000. These groups included the National Park Service, Daughters of the American Revolution, Sons of the American Revolution, Boy Scouts of America, and many, many more!
- Both large and small museums in towns and cities that Lafayette visited, including Colonial Williamsburg and the Virginia Museum of History and Culture, were collaborative partners providing critically important support!
- In-kind support from communities hosting parades and commemorative events added thousands of hours to the effort through law enforcement and civic groups and leaders.
- The French Embassy in Washington, DC was so impressed with our energy and dedication to authentic programs that in 2026 they awarded two of our organization’s leaders the rare honor of the French National Order of Merit!
- The French Air Force crossed the Atlantic to provide honorary flyovers with jets for two of our major celebrations.
- Our scholarly and informative GAZETTE reached new heights with three expanded issues devoted to coverage of Bicentennial events. Here’s how to access the Gazette for free: Ctrl-Click HERE, and you’ll have access to our famous Gazettes!
- Our talented Education Committee developed four complete lesson plans that teach students about Lafayette and the Franco-American friendship! These lesson plans are available to educators on our website for free—the embodiment of our passion to create programs that are a legacy and will continue to be available.
- A fun fact about our Essay Contest—over 100 students from across the country participated, with three cash prizes awarded. These essays were AWESOME! Our young students really know how to write!
- Pursuing the many ways we all like to learn, the AFL has launched a series of virtual travelogues that take you to the sites Lafayette visited during the Farewell Tour. From North Carolina, through Virginia, and up to New York, New Hampshire, and more states to come, you can enjoy our amazing and entertaining travelogues onsite from your mobile device or from home on your computer. The travelogues are available for free when you visit TravelStorysGPS or the AFL website.
- Did you know there’s a “General LaFayette Quick Step”? Go to the Gazette Issue 101, Part III, p. 212, and you will be treated to the story behind our Music Committee as it uncovered authentic music from this historical period! (www.friendsoflafayette.org/Gazettes)
- Over 200,000 people across America were able to view and learn from our professional historical exhibit panel sets at museums, schools, state houses, and other venues!
- There’s so much more and we do encourage you to visit our American Friends of Lafayette and AFL250 websites or our social media and look through the hundreds of reenactment photos and more. We hope you’ll want to join the fun on the next phase of our commemorations!
AFL250: The Road to Victory
America250, celebrated in 2026, was a special time to recognize the importance of the birth of our nation as The Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1776. Now, AFL250 will commemorate the long and difficult road that Lafayette traveled alongside American patriots and French allies to win the democracy our Founding Fathers envisioned in that Declaration. From June 13, 1777, when he first set foot on American soil near Charleston, South Carolina, to the ultimate victory in Yorktown, Virginia on October 19, 1781, the AFL will present both a commemoration and a celebration, rich with authentic history. His triumphal 1824-1825 return to America that we celebrated in 2024-2025 was filled with joy and parades. The coming years of AFL250 The Road to Victory will be a time to reflect and understand that freedom is not free. Here is how we will do it:
- Historical interpreters (Over $150,000 to be spent during our AFL250 events)
- New free lesson plans (Our educators are ready to donate their time!)
- Support for commemorative events (Over $100,000 during over 4 years of events)
We hope that you are as excited about our ambitious program as we are!
Your tax-deductible contribution or sponsorship can provide the resources necessary to fulfill AFL’s educational and commemorative mission.
To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, upcoming events, and ways to contribute, visit friendsoflafayette.org or AFL250.org, or email us at americanfriendsoflafayette@gmail.com.
Contact us by Phone:
(240) 676-5010
Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Eastern Time
Vive Lafayette!
Alan Hoffman, President, American Friends of Lafayette
Chuck Schwam, AFL Executive Director and Chairman of AFL250
And the hundreds of AFL members who will work tirelessly to bring the story of the American Road to Freedom alive!
WE ALL THANK YOU!