By Rose Caisley '26, W&M Libraries
Revolutionary war General Marquis de Lafayette’s honorary degree awarded to him in 1824 by William & Mary returned to France this week. Over 1,400 people viewed the historic item at the Special Collections Research Center.
“There's nothing like seeing the original document,” Director of Special Collections Jay Gaidmore said. In addition to the degree, Special Collections drew from their archival materials related to both Lafayette’s military history and his tour through the States to build the exhibit.
As for the actual anniversary celebration on October 20th, it featured a diverse array of programming both at William & Mary and Colonial Williamsburg. Starting at the Wren building, a ceremony was held where President Rowe reenacted giving the diploma to Lafayette. Gaidmore explained that the Special Collections’ “digitization lab…provided a replica diploma for [Lafayette] to receive from President Rowe.” Students then read the diploma in several different languages to the assembled crowd. Cara Omohundro ’26, a French and Francophone Studies student read the diploma in Lafayette’s native French. Omohundro got involved in the celebration after hearing about the opportunity from one of her professors. “I thought it sounded like a unique experience, and it turned out to be a lot of fun,” Omohundro told me. “I really enjoyed speaking with the ceremony’s attendees who told me about their interest in Lafayette’s life and legacy.”
The festivities continued with a parade down Duke of Gloucester Street which was followed by a final reflective performance at Colonial Williamsburg’s Kimball Theater about Lafayette’s connection to the United States. Bill Schermerhorn, Creative Director for Colonial Williamsburg said of the events, “I’m an alum of ’82. William & Mary has been here for so many significant moments in history. I’m proud to be a part of such a historic place.”
“The number of people who have come to visit the exhibits and come to see the diploma has been rewarding and made the effort that we took to do this all the more worthwhile” Gaidmore concluded. From Duke of Gloucester Street to the Wren Building to Swem Library, the celebration of Lafayette truly commemorated the university’s amazing connection to America’s favorite fighting Frenchman.