Lafayette in Fredonia Bicentennial Jubilee

On June 4, 1825—two centuries ago—Fredonia witnessed one of its most storied moments when an iconic figure in both the American and French Revolutions, General Marquis de Lafayette, visited the village. This historic event will be commemorated this summer with the Lafayette Bicentennial Jubilee, a week-long celebration from May 30 to June 6.

The Jubilee will feature a variety of events, including:

• A reenactment of Lafayette’s arrival in the early evening on June 3rd–coinciding with the historic moment when Lafayette was expected to arrive in 1825–in Barker Commons
• A new exhibition and lectures at the Darwin R. Barker Museum
• A festival at Barker Commons with period musical performances and food vendors
• An 1820s-era tea, “Tea with the Marquis” and dance at Grange No. 1
• A ballet performance by Infinity Dance Academy
• Period Music: Fife and Drum performance by Fredonia High School musical ensemble, and a vocal performance of Yankee Doodle by the Boys and Girls Club of Northern Chautauqua County.

Lafayette in Fredonia Bicentennial Jubilee Event Schedule

Friday, May 30

• Museum Preview Night – Lafayette in Fredonia Exhibition
  
  • Time: 5:30 PM; Location: Barker Museum

Saturday, May 31

• Grand Opening of Lafayette in Fredonia Exhibition
  
  • Time: 2:00 PM; Location: Barker Museum
  • Exhibit on display from May 31, 2025, to January 10, 2026.

Sunday, June 1

• "Tea with the Marquis"
  
  • An afternoon featuring tea, a historical costume party, and a lecture on Lafayette’s life by reenactor Mike Lee.
  • Time: 2:00 PM; Location: Grange No. 1
  • Seating limited to 80 guests.

Monday, June 2

• D.A.R. Rededication Ceremony
  
  • Rededication of the Lafayette Marker in Dunkirk.

Tuesday, June 3

• Historical Reenactment & Festival
  
  • Historical Reenactment & Festival schedule, June 3rd, 2025, East & West Barker Commons between 10 AM and 8 PM.
  • 4:45 – 5:15 PM: Drum and Fife Musical performance (W. Barker Common)
  • 5:15 – 5:30 PM: Performance of Yankee Doodle by Boys & Girls Club (W. Barker Common)
  • 5:30 – 5:50 PM: Ballet Performance by Infinity Dance Academy (W. Barker Common)
  • 5:50 – 6:00 PM: FHS Drum and Fife Performance (W. Barker Common)
  • 6:00 – 6:20 PM: Historical reenactors portraying Gen. Lafayette and Rev. Brown will each give a 10-minute speech in the gazebo in Barker Common. Lafayette reenactor will mount a horse-drawn surrey carriage. The carriage route begins at the West Alley Municipal Parking Lot, the requested setup area for the horses and reenactors. The carriage route then proceeds to West Main St via Canadaway St, and stops to drop off the reenactors at West Barker Common. When the reenactors arrive, the Sons of the American Revolution (S.A.R.) will present a gun salute.
  • 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM: Period Musical Performance (W. Barker Common Gazebo)
  • 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM: Vendors set up tents in W. Barker Common and food trucks along Park Pl will provide food for visitors to the event from 11am to 8pm.

Wednesday, June 4

• Period Barn Dance & Dance Instruction
  
  • Dance instruction on historical court dancing, followed by a period-themed dance.
  • Time: 7:30 PM; Location: Grange No. 1

Thursday, June 5

• Historical Lecture
  
  • 7:00 PM: Lecture – "Georges Washington Lafayette" by Paul Scheeler
  • Location: Barker Museum, Steele Room