– Pierre Oury: expert on the Lafayette Escadrille
October 18th - 1:00 pm ~
This upcoming October 18th is a BIG DAY for the American Friends of Lafayette. We have THREE, FREE and exciting events happening that day.
Please read carefully below and register here.
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At 1:00pm ET, Mark Schneider will be performing as Lafayette at the Kimball Theater in Colonial Williamsburg. Titled: Lafayette: The Campaign That Won Independence, this performance explores Lafayette's role in 1781, when he was dispatched to Virginia to play a cat and mouse campaign against British General Lord Cornwallis, that would end with the allied victory at Yorktown in October 1781. Come learn about the important events that lead to this monumental victory. If you have not seen Mark Schneider perform in a theater setting, this is an event that is not to be missed. He's amazing.
The Kimball Theater is located at 428 W Duke of Gloucester Street, Williamsburg, VA. Parking is available in public lots throughout Colonial Williamsbuirg.
GREAT NEWS: Colonial Williamsburg is waiving the admission fee for this performance as "an appreciation of our partnership" !!! Consequently, you can attend for FREE !!! However, I must produce a guest list, so registration is required. You can register for this free event here.
At 3:00pm ET the AFL will be holding an event at the Gloucester Museum of History (6539 Main St, Gloucester, VA 23061). There is plenty of street parking available.
Here we will be displaying many of the items gathered from our Lafayette Bicentennial including: proclamations, programs, souvenirs, and all kinds of fun stuff that we acquired during our 13-months of commemorations.
Most importantly we will be displaying the costumes that Michael Halbert wore during his incredible portrayal of Lafayette in 2024 and 2025.
At 5:00pm ET, the American Society of Le Souvenir Français will be unveiling a granite memorial in honor of 3,520 French sailors and soldiers who died at sea 1778 - 1783 for the independence of the United States.
This unveiling will take place behind the Historic Freight Shed (331 Water St, Yorktown, VA 23690). Free parking is available art the parking deck across the street (330 Water Street). This is a free and meaningful event.
For those of you attending the 6:00pm dinner at the American Revolution Museum, it is just up the street.
This year's host organization is Colonial National Historical Park (NPS).
Both the dinner and reception are sold out. Should you wish to be added to the waitlist, please email susan.dewing@gmail.com
Please indicate which event(s) you will be attending:
Dinner, Sunday, October 18, 2026, 6:00 p.m.
American Revolution Museum at Yorktown - $88.00 per person (Cash bar)
Reception, Monday, October 19, 2026, 11:30–1:15 p.m. (hours pending)
The Yorktown Custom House Garden - $36.50 per person
Notes:
AFL Annual Cocktail Party
Yorktown Victory Celebration
October 19, 2026
5:00pm
Register for our "World Famous" Annual Cocktail Party as we celebrate the American victory at Yorktown. Our party takes place in the Historic Freight Shed in Yorktown on October 19th, 2026 at 5:00pm ET.
The Historic Freight Shed is located at 331 Water St, Yorktown, VA 23690.
Free parking is available across the street at the parking deck located at 330 Water St, Yorktown, VA 23690
Our special guest is French General, Vincent de Kytspotter who will be enlightening us with his powerful speech: The Seven Miracles of Yorktown. If you have not heard General Kytspotter give this speech, you are in for a real treat. If you have heard it like myself, I'm sure that you will be excited to hear it again (I know I am!!).
The very talented Mark Schneider will of course be in attendance as Lafayette. He will give toasts and looks forward to seeing everyone during this victory celebration.
This year's all you can eat and drink buffet will include....
HORS D'OEUVRES
ENTREES
SIDES
DESSERTS
DRINKS
All this for only $49 per person.
Vincent Bouat-Ferlier: Director of the Fondation de Chambrun-Lafayette
– Betsy Cassebeer: Expert on the Virginia Statehouse in Richmond
Bob Geake: Author of A Man of Uncommon Valor: James Mitchell Varnum, the American Revolution, and the Foundation of the New Republic
Sunday, June 13, 2027 - Lafayette arrives in America near Georgetown, South Carolina
· Friday, July 16, 2027 - Lafayette passes through North Carolina at Halifax
· Saturday, July 17, 2027 - Lafayette passes through Virginia at Petersburg
· Saturday, July 24, 2027 - Lafayette passes through Maryland in Annapolis
· Sunday, July 25, 2027 - Lafayette arrives in Baltimore, Maryland
· Friday, July 30, 2027 - Lafayette arrives in Philadelphia to visit Congress at Independence Hall
· Saturday, July 31, 2027 - Lafayette meets George Washington for the first time in Philadelphia
· Sunday, August 21st, 2027 – Lafayette at the Moland House in Warminster, Pennsylvania
· Sunday, September 5, 2027 - Lafayette celebrates his 20th Birthday at the Hale Byrnes House in Delaware
· Saturday, September 11, 2027 - Lafayette is wounded at the Battle of Brandywine
· Friday, October 1, 2027 - Lafayette is convalescing in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
· Saturday, November 27, 2027 – Lafayette commands troops at Gloucester, New Jersey
· Sunday, December 19, 2027 - Lafayette arrives at Valley Forge
Copyright The American Friends of Lafayette 2024"The American Friends of Lafayette" is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Mail correspondence to: PO Box 84114 Gaithersburg, MD 20883Email: americanfriendsoflafayette@gmail.com
