The Historical Society’s 2024 Annual Dinner promises to be a grand occasion. This year’s dinner will be held at the Historical Society’s Headquarters, 143 N. Main Street in Bel Air. Attendees will have the opportunity to see the tremendous progress at the Society’s Museum, learn about upcoming Society projects and programs, enjoy a fine dining experience with a catered dinner and celebrate the 200th Anniversary of General Lafayette’s return to America.
In 1824, Lafayette, the American Revolution’s last surviving general, returned for a Farewell Tour of the country he helped create. He toured the 24 states that made up the country at the time. His journey will be recreated over the next year and a half with programs in the cities he visited in 1824-1825. Harford County was one of Lafayette’s final stops on his tour before returning to France. This visit will be commemorated in Havre de Grace in July 2025, but local exhibits and events are planned throughout the next year.
The Historical Society is planning a special program for this Year’s annual dinner which will begin with a celebration of Lafayette’s birthday – dinner will include birthday cake, followed by a presentation by reenactor, Alisa Dupuy as Adrienne de Lafayette, wife of General Lafayette, hero of the American Revolution, without whom we could not have won our independence. She will tell the story of their life together, his achievements and explain why he is considered the Hero of Two Worlds. Lafayette’s visit did much to keep America strong in a political environment that could have torn the country apart. Come honor this great Founding Father and learn about the amazing woman behind the man.