Fluvanna Supervisors agree to support Lafayette marker in Columbia

July 4, 2026 will mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and all across Virginia localities are preparing to celebrate and commemorate the occasion. In 2020, the General Assembly established the VA250 Commission to coordinate efforts with an emphasis on tourism. 

Last year, the Fluvanna Board of Supervisors assigned the Economic Development and Tourism Advisory Council to represent the county. One way they’ve come up to bring attention to the American Revolution is to honor the Marquis de Lafayette, a French nobleman who joined the Continental Army. 

“2024 marks the 200th anniversary of Lafayette’s so-called farewell visit to America,” said Kathleen Kilpatrick, the chair of the committee. 

Kilpatrick said Lafayette traveled around giving speeches and receiving accolades for the role he played in both the American and the French revolutions. 

“He visited Fluvanna which was an enormous honor,” Kilpatrick said. “He was on his way to see his old friend and colleague Jefferson and General Cocke invited him, persuaded  him to come through Fluvanna.” 

That’s General John Hartwell Cocke, who you can learn more about on Monticello’s website. Lafayette traveled from Richmond through Goochland along the James River.

“And he stopped first per Cocke’s hope and recommendation in Columbia where he was met by a large contingent led by General Cocke,” Kilpatrick said.

Kilpatrick said there was an enormous meal at a tavern which is no longer standing. After that, the party moved on to the Wilmington community. She said the hope of the committee is to hold events in both areas this November. 

“We realize this being out of sequence with the revolution but it gives us an opportunity to kind of really focus on those speeches and bring excitement to the 250th by means of celebrating the great honor that was paid by General Lafayette,” Kilpatrick said. 

Kilpatrick said the committee wants to work with a national group called The Lafayette Trail which is documenting the journey across 24 states. They want to put an official marker in Columbia outside the spot where that tavern stood. As the property is owned by Fluvanna County, Supervisors need to approve a letter seeking to be part of the trail. 

One of these markers currently stands in Albemarle County at Boyd’s Tavern where Lafayette was on November 4, 1824. 

Fluvanna Supervisors unanimously approved the letter. If approved by the nonprofit group that maintains the trail, the marker will be shipped at no charge to the county, but the county will have to maintain it. 

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