Lafayette Collection to Be Displayed at Fayetteville's Historic Market House

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AUGUST 20, 2007
MARIA SIKORYAK-ROBINS
DIRECTOR OF UNIVERSITY PUBLICATIONS

FAYETTEVILLE, NC—As part of the celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the birth of the Marquis de Lafayette, Davis Memorial Library of Methodist University will be exhibiting items from the Library’s Lafayette Collection at the Fayetteville Market House on Saturday, Sept. 8, 2007, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. The exhibit is a joint effort between Methodist University and the City of Fayetteville.

The Historic Properties Division will have display panels telling the story of Lafayette’s visit to Fayetteville in March of 1825. Items from Davis Memorial Library’s Lafayette Collection may also be viewed at the library by appointment.

Slated for display are letters written by Lafayette, commemorative medals and stamps, newspapers, articles, and books. Of particular interest are a burled wood snuff box bearing the image of Lafayette, an 1829 edition of “Lafayette in America,” and a newspaper from 1825 detailing Lafayette’s visit to Savannah, Ga. Display panels will provide information about Lafayette’s early life, his coming to the American colonies, and his wife Adrienne.

Gilbert du Motier, the Marquis de Lafayette, was a young Frenchman who left his country to offer his services and his family fortune to further the cause of the American colonists during the American Revolution. He was instrumental in the defeat of Cornwallis at the battle of Yorktown, which led to the British surrender. He became an iconic hero in America, and in 1783 the North Carolina towns of Campbellton and Cross Creek merged and chose the patriotic name “Fayetteville.”

After Lafayette’s return to France, he remained active in politics. In 1824, Lafayette was invited to tour the United States as “The Nation’s Guest,” and he stopped in Fayetteville March 4-5, 1825. Despite torrential rains and muddy streets, thousands turned out to greet the “Hero of Two Worlds.” As far as can be determined, Fayetteville, N.C., is the only town in the United States named for Lafayette that he actually visited.

Methodist University is an independent four-year institution of higher education with over 2,100 students from 41 states and 30 countries. Methodist University offers over 70 majors and concentrations, three master’s degree programs, and 19 NCAA II1I intercollegiate sports. For more information, visit The Lafayette Collection or call (910) 630-7412.