COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (SCDAR) has joined forces with the American Friends of Lafayette (AFL) to help commemorate the last surviving general from the American Revolution, Major General Marquis de Lafayette. The French nobleman traveled to the Palmetto State in mid-March 1825 as part of his farewell tour across the United States before departing for his home country. To honor the war hero and mark the 200th anniversary of his South Carolina return, multiple state-wide events are planned throughout the month of March.
“It is an important time to share the historical significance of Lafayette’s role in the American Revolution, his personal sacrifices and his vision for democracy not only our nation but France also,” said Beth Pantone, SCDAR State Chair of the Franco-American Memorial Committee. “His beliefs of religious toleration and racial equality are relevant in all times. It was the beginning of a Franco-American alliance that has lasted until present times.”
“SCDAR has been aggressively involved in all of our statewide events, through their various chapters,” added Joseph Volpi, South Carolina Chairperson for the Marquis de Lafayette Bicentennial Tour of 1824-25. “We are ‘through the roof’ excited about our events, and we hope the public develops a greater appreciation of what Marquis stood for and his contributions to our young nation.”
On March 14, 2025, SCDAR will host one of its biggest Lafayette events in the state, a colonial-style “Welcome Back Ball” inside Francis Marion Hotel in downtown Charleston, SC. While this highly anticipated event is already sold out, the organization is proud to partner with the AFL for other Lafayette-themed, statewide outings that are free to the public.
“DAR members have been hard at working planning parades, scavenger hunts, marker dedications and historical tours along the South Carolina Farewell Tour route. Stops will take place in Cheraw, Camden, Columbia, Charleston, Edisto Island, Beaufort and North Augusta,” said Pantone.
Lafayette's strong ties to South Carolina date back to 1777, when as a young French nobleman, he first set foot on American soil near Georgetown, SC to join the fight for American liberty. After the Revolutionary War ended, from Aug. 15, 1824 to Sept. 9, 1825, Lafayette, who had fought alongside George Washington, covered over 6,000 miles by carriage, stagecoach, canal barge, and steamboat as part of his highly celebrated 22-state goodbye tour. Everywhere he went, he was met with adoration. The respected general returned to South Carolina in early March 1825. Two centuries later, SCDAR members are honored to be playing an active role in marking the bicentennial of Lafayette’s final trip to South Carolina.
“The South Carolina tour begins in Cheraw on March 6 and ends in North Augusta on March 24. The tour is part of Lafayette’s 1824 and 1825 Farewell Tour of America, which started in August 2024 in New York and will end Sept. 2025 in Washington, DC, Pantone said.
Other organizations assisting the American Friends of Lafayette (AFL) with the South Carolina portion of the tour include Sons of the American Revolution, Society of the Cincinnati, the SC Historical Society and the Huguenot Society of SC. America 250 is also a supporting partner of Lafayette’s Farewell Tour.
To view dates, times and details for the exciting Lafayette events scheduled throughout South Carolina, please click on any of the following cities/towns below:
March 6: Bicentennial of Lafayette’s Farewell Tour Visits Cheraw, SC
March 7-9: Bicentennial of Lafayette’s Farewell Tour Visits Camden, SC
March 10-11: Bicentennial of Lafayette’s Farewell Tour Visits Columbia, SC
March 13-15: Bicentennial of Lafayette’s Farewell Tour Visits Charleston, SC
March 17: Bicentennial of Lafayette’s Farewell Tour Visits Edisto Island, SC
March 18: Bicentennial of Lafayette’s Farewell Tour Visits Beaufort, SC
March 24: Bicentennial of Lafayette’s Farewell Tour Visits North Augusta, SC
