THE LAFAYETTE SOCIETY 
History of the Lafayette Society
The Lafayette Society promotes awareness of the many contributions to America’s freedom by the Marquis de Lafayette, the French hero of the American Revolutionary War. We honor him for his generosity, patriotism, leadership, opposition to slavery and oppression, and support of human rights for all by encouraging these qualities in the civic character of Fayetteville, North Carolina, the first city in the United States named for him.
Martha Duell organized the Lafayette Society in 1981 and she was president of the organization until 2008. In 1983, the Lafayette Society raised the money to erect the statue of Lafayette that stands in Cross Creek Park. That same year, the society organized a city-wide celebration to commemorate the bicentennial of the city’s name change to Fayetteville. In 1783, Fayetteville was the first city in the United States to name itself in honor of the Marquis de Lafayette and the only city so named that he actually visited.
The society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. For membership and more information please visit the Lafayette Society website
History of the Lafayette 250th “Committee of Arrangements”
The Lafayette 250th Committee was made up of many
dedicated citizens representing a wide range of organizations and
agencies in Fayetteville. The Lafayette 250th “Committee of
Arrangements” coordinated the celebration on behalf of the
Lafayette Society.
The 250th Birthday Celebration truly was
a collaborative effort that created a series of events that benefited the entire community, while enhancing Fayetteville’s
reputation throughout the state.
The mission
of the group was to develop and direct events and activities that
celebrated the 250th birthday and of the Marquis de Lafayette and
his visit to Fayetteville, NC.
Goals
· To raise awareness of the profound
contributions by Lafayette to the American Revolution and to our
nation’s history.
· To raise awareness of
Lafayette’s lifelong dedication to and promotion of equal rights
for all men and his advocacy for the abolition of
slavery.
· To raise awareness of Fayetteville,
NC, as the first city to be named for Lafayette and the only one
so named that he visited.
· To raise
awareness of Fayetteville’s rich and colorful history that
predates the American Revolution.
· To
enhance Fayetteville’s image throughout NC and to promote
tourism.
· To use this celebration as an
educational tool for our school children in the areas of history,
language and the arts.
· To initiate an
annual observance of Lafayette’s birthday every September 6th in
Fayetteville, NC.