On July 27-29, 2025, a reenactor of the Marquis de Lafayette visited Lancaster to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the visit of the Marquis’ to the city in 1825. Members of the Lancaster Camera Club covered various events of the three-day event. I was privileged to photograph the Marquis’ visit to Lafayette Park, east of Lancaster, the visit to Franklin and Marshall College, and the day at the Rock Ford Plantation. This gallery highlights images from those events.
For more information about the reenactment, visit the event’s webpage at https://lafayette200pa.org/
Introducing the Marquis
The Lancaster County Commissioner welcomes the Marquis at Lafayette Park.
The Marquis
The Marquis de Lafayette addresses the crowd.
In the Bucket
The Marquis takes a ride on the Lafayette Fire Company ladder truck.
Troup Muster
Revolutionary Troops line up for inspection.
Troop Muster
Revolutionary Troops ready for inspection.
Lafayette Fire Company
Lafayette Fire Company equipment.
Band
A Band plays at Lafayette Field.
Arrival at LFC
The Marquis arrives at Lafayette Fire Company escorted by a fire truck.
Inspection
The Marquis inspecting the troops.
Courtesy
The Marquis bows to the young lady in the lineup.
Inspection
The Marquis inspecting the troops
Posing
Posing with the troops for photos.
Greeting
The Marquis greeting young fans.
Old Main
Old Main on the Franklin & Marshall campus.
At F&M
The Marquis meeting the Franklin & Marshall President.
At F&M
The F&M President welcomes the Marquis to the college.
At F&M
The Marquis' Ride
This is the car that conveyed the Marquis between events.
Triumphal Arch
The Triumphal Arch reproduced at Rock Ford.
Triumphal Arch
Triumphal Arch Detail
Rock Ford
The Edward Hand mansion at Rock Ford.
Fife and Drum
A Fife and Drum Corp serenaded the Marquis at Rock Ford.
Loading Up
Troops loading their muskets to salute the Marquis.
Fire!
The troops fire a salute to the arriving Marquis.
Color Guard
A color guard made up of citizens of Lancaster City.
Entering the Arch
The Color Guard enters the arch.
Lafayette is Coming!
A page runs to announce the arrival of the Marquis.
Fife and Drum Escort
The Fife and Drum Corp escorts the Marquis in his carriage.
Fife and Drum Escort
Fife and Drum Escort
Procession
The Fife & Drum Corp approaches the triumphal arch.
Committee of Arrangement
The "Commitee of Arrangement" arrives in their carriage.
Arrival at Rock Ford
The Marquis arrives at Rock Ford.
Arrival at Rock Ford
The Marquis greets onlookers as he arrives at Rock Ford.
Entry
The Marquis approaches the grand arch.
Entering
The Marquis enters under the grand arch.
Greeting the Mayor
The Marquis greets the 1825 Mayor of Lancaster.
American Anthem
The Fife and Drum Corps accompanies a singer of the American Anthem.
American Anthem.
The Marquis listens to the American Anthem.
The Mayor
The Mayor addresses the crowd.
Addressing the Crowd
Lafayette addresses the crowd.
Capturing the Marquis
A boy captures the Marquis on his mother's cell phone.
The Commander
Greeting the troop commander while Iron Master Robert Coleman stands by.
Young Fan
The Marquis greets a young fan.
Conestoga Wagon
A Conestoga Wagon was on display at Rock Ford.
Mrs. Lafayette
The Marquess.
Dancers
Period dancers on the Rock Ford mansion porch.
Marquis and Marquess
The Marquis and Marquess greet fans.
Marquis and Marquess
Marquis and Marquess
Your Coach is Waiting
The Marquis' coachmen await his departure.
Final Farewells
City officials delivering their farewells.
Saying Farewell
The Marquis saying farewell at Rock Ford.
Posing
Posing for photos with the Commitee of Arrangement
Color Guard
The Color Guard prepares for departure.
Mounting
The Marquis mounts his waiting carriage.
Farewell!
Farewell to Rock Ford!
Resessional
Departing through the grand arch.