A sign describing Lafayette’s Tour stands at the corner of Ohio, Greene and Front streets on the bike path. (Photo provided by Erin Augenstein)

MARIETTA — The Northwest Territory Museum Society is hosting events throughout the day on Friday to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Marquis de Lafayette’s visit to Marietta on May 23, 1825.

Lafayette 200 is a nationally recognized celebration established by the American Friends of Lafayette to commemorate the States he traveled to during 1824-25.

Lafayette returned to the States after President Monroe invited him to visit as Guest of the Nation. The visit, which was only supposed to be for a few months, turned into a year-long tour beginning August 1824 and ended September 1825.

Lafayette toured all 24 states and celebrated his 68th birthday with President John Quincy Adams at the White House before heading back to France.

Beginning Aug. 14, 2024, in Sandy Hook, N.J., events planned in each city traced the exact dates and locations where Lafayette traveled over the course of a year.

Lafayette 200 is being celebrated across the United States, but in Marietta, the bicentennial events celebrate, commemorate and educate the community on the past.

“As we approach the 250th birthday of the United States, it has been wonderful to consider our nation’s Revolution through the eyes of General Lafayette,” Erin Augenstein, executive director of Campus Martius Museum, said in a statement. “Our country and our local community have had close ties with France since the mid-1700s.”

From 6-9 p.m. Friday, Marietta Museums will host the Lafayette Ball at The Vault. The evening entertainment will consist of French-inspired cuisine, specialty cocktails and live music.

“Celebrating that relationship helps us all to more deeply understand how our history can affect our future,” said Augenstein.

The Lafayette Ball will include period-style dancing instructions for guests to learn before heading to the dance floor. Guests are also required to wear cocktail or period attire.

Tickets are $75 and includes food, entertainment and two drink tickets. Tickets are available from Campus Martius Museum and only 100 are available.

Events taking place on May 23 will include:

* 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. — Lafayette Postmark Cancellation: Community members can bring an unaddressed postal card to a clerk at the temporary cancellation station where they will stamp the envelope with a Lafayette postmark.

* 9-11 a.m. — Brunch Cruise on the Valley Gem: SOLD OUT

* 11 a.m. — Welcome the Marquis at the Levee: Free event for the public which features music, cannons, a proclamation from the mayor and a special guest in attendance.

* 2 p.m. — Sons of the American Revolution at Mound Cemetery: The Ohio Society SAR Marietta Chapter Memorial Service for the Revolutionary War Patriots with guest speaker and historian Scott Britton.

* 6 p.m. — The Lafayette Ball: Entertainment, food, and dancing at The Vault.

Amber Phipps can be reached at aphipps@newsandsentinel.com