A Son and His Adoptive Father: The Marquis de Lafayette and George Washington

Sept. 6 – Oct. 28, 2007

Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens, in partnership with Lafayette College, has organized a major traveling exhibition devoted to the “father-son” relationship between George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette. Included are letters between Lafayette and Washington, paintings, prints, decorative arts, and other objects documenting the close relationship between the two men, which began with Lafayette’s arrival from France as a young man to join Washington’s fight for independence.

The Williams Center venue will include additional works from the Lafayette College art collection and special collections.

The exhibition begins a year of activities celebrating the ideals of the Marquis de Lafayette, including the Lives of Liberty lecture series and a campus-wide 250th birthday celebration on Thursday, Sept. 6.

“Brown Bag” lecture: Diane W. Shaw, “Lafayette in Philadelphia, 1777 and 1824″; Tuesday, Sept. 12, 12:10 p.m., Williams Center 108

See also “Lafayette, We Are Here,” an exhibition which explores ways in which American’s acknowledged their debt to the Marquis as they came to France’s aid in World War I. Lass Gallery, Skillman Library

A web site dedicated to the celebration and to the Marquis’ unique connection to the College provides information and updates.

Additional support for the exhibition at Lafayette College is provided by gifts from Lafayette Ambassador Bank and Jere G. Oren, class of 1950. Mr. Oren’s gift was made in memory of his parents, Samuel and Sophie Oren.