Category Classes & Events

Rosie the Riveter appears on the left hand side of the image, against a bright yellow background. The dark blue quote bubble above her head says "We Can Do It!" and the one to the right says, "Celebrate Women's History Month!"

Women’s History Month

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Rosie the Riveter appears on the left hand side of the image, against a bright yellow background. The dark blue quote bubble above her head says "We Can Do It!" and the one to the right says, "Celebrate Women's History Month!"

Beginning Saturday, we celebrate Women’s History Month throughout March. Established in 1981 as a memorial week, it grew to the entire month in 1987. It’s purpose is to commemorate and encourage the study, observance and celebration, “of the vital role of women in American history.” From Betsy Ross to Diana Ross, women have made a wide variety of contributions to our culture and society.

Join us for a few classes early in the month, and visit the library’s calendar often for more opportunities to celebrate. There’s an adage, sometimes attributed to Eleanor Roosevelt, that says, “Well behaved women seldom make history.” It certainly holds true for Zelda Fitzgerald, DC’s madams, and Dorothy Parker!

Zelda Fitzgerald’s Journey
Sat, Mar 1 | 2 – 3 pm
HCLS Miller Branch
For adults. Register here.

Historian Jack Burkert gives glimpses into the fascinating life of Zelda Fitzgerald, the “First Flapper” of the Jazz Age. Born in comfortable circumstances in Montgomery, Alabama, the twenty-year-old Zelda Sayre married F. Scott Fitzgerald, beginning their tumultuous life together. Their adventures took them across America and through Europe, writing both short stories and novels, while Zelda sought artistic fulfillment. By 1930, early signs of her mental illness coupled with his alcoholism made their partnership of greatness a distant dream. Through twenty years of treatment, a maturing Zelda paints, dances, writes, and slowly recovers, creating a life story few could imagine.

Off the Mall, DC: Madams of DC
Fri, Mar 7 | 12 – 1 pm
online
For adults. Register here.

Step into the lesser known history of Washington, D.C.’s red light district and learn about the lives of the women who shaped it. Washington, D.C. experienced an unprecedented rise in prostitution during and after the Civil War. During this period, Pennsylvania Avenue became D.C.’s most notorious red-light district, from the ramshackle “boarding houses” of Murder Bay to the glamorous pleasure houses of Marble Alley, all within sight of the Capitol. Also, a new profession for women was rising, that of the “female lobbyist.” This virtual tour introduces you to some of the most notorious women of mid-19th century DC.

Presented in partnership with Off the Mall D.C. founder and guide, Katie Kirkpatrick

Dorothy Parker: Unique American Writer
Thu, Mar 13 | 7 – 8 pm
HCLS Glenwood Branch
For adults. Register here.

Writer, poet, screenwriter, playwright, and essayist Dorothy Parker was known as the wittiest woman in America in the mid-20th century. In an era when the printed word was powerful and readers voraciously consumed written comments, critiques, and opinions, her sharp writing appeared in the New Yorker, Vanity Fair, and other publications. Readers anxiously awaited her next words as her clever quotations became legendary, but her personal life was often troubling: alcohol, divorce, and suicide attempts continued through her life. Learn about the legacy of this unique contributor to the American literary tradition from historian Jack Burkert.

The image shows four pairs of brightly colored drop earrings suspended in midair from silver hooks, against a hazy pink background.

Upcycling and Sustainability with The Clarksville Youth Care Group

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The image shows two handmade wrapped packages with beaded drop earring of green, beige, and blue, above a bracelet with the same colors of beads.

By Nancy T.

The Clarksville Youth Care Group (CYCG), a student-run nonprofit in Howard County, is showcasing creative artwork made from recycled household items by talented local students. The display will run through the end of February in the display cases at HCLS Miller Branch. With support from a Howard County Youth Engagement Programming (YEP) Grant, CYCG has been actively promoting environmental sustainability, indoor composting, and upcycling throughout the county.

The display features more than 70 pieces of artwork crafted from everyday recycled materials, such as toilet paper rolls, egg cartons, eggshells, milk cartons, glass bottles, cans, scrap paper, paper cups, socks, sunflower seed shells, fruit nets, and more. Students have transformed glass bottles into vases or night lights, repurposed egg cartons and toilet paper rolls into animal sculptures and flowers, turned milk cartons into desk organizers, and fashioned scrap paper into jewelry. Old socks have even been upcycled into pumpkins!

The image shows four pairs of brightly colored drop earrings suspended in midair from silver hooks, against a hazy pink background.

Upcycling has become an increasingly popular part of the sustainability movement, allowing people to transform waste into new products while reducing environmental impact. This creative display hopes to inspire more people to explore upcycling, showing that all it takes is a little imagination and perseverance to create something beautiful. 

CYCG President and Co-Founder Amanda Wang expressed her appreciation for Howard County Library System for the opportunity to share student-created upcycled artwork. Amanda said, “We hope to inspire more people to start upcycling, which is easy and fun with just a little bit of imagination and creativity.”

The image shows papercrafted mini-parasols in shades of red and yellow, above three bracelets, one gift-wrapped package, and four cards which each have a set of drop earrings attached to them.

To complement the display, HCLS, in partnership with CYCG, is hosting a hands-on Upcycled Art class on Saturday, February 22 from 2:30–4:00 PM at HCLS Miller Branch.

Join us for this exciting workshop where we explore the art of upcycling through creative paper projects. Learn how to repurpose old magazines, gift wrap, and newspapers into stylish bracelets, earrings, and home décor. All materials will be provided—just bring your imagination!

Nancy T. is an instructor and research specialist and the display coordinator at Miller Branch. When she’s not in the branch, you’ll find her in the swimming pool, sitting with her cat, or out walking in the fresh air.

Portrait of George Boutwell, looking to the right, with a greying beard. Title: Boutwell Readical Republican and Champion of Democracy

Author Works with Jeffrey Boutwell (Feb 24)

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Portrait of George Boutwell, looking to the right, with a greying beard. Title: Boutwell Radical Republican and Champion of Democracy


Mon, Feb 24 | 7 – 8:30 pm
HCLS Miller Branch
For adults. Register here.

Jeffrey Boutwell discusses his new book, Boutwell: Radical Republican and Champion of Democracy, a biography of family member George S. Boutwell – perhaps the most consequential American political figure you’ve never heard of. During his career from 1839 to 1905, George Boutwell was Governor of Massachusetts, served in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate, was treasury secretary for Ulysses Grant and Commissioner of Revenue for Abraham Lincoln, helped create the Republican Party in the 1850s, and forty years later opposed Republican Presidents William McKinley and Teddy Roosevelt over their plans to annex the Philippines following the Spanish-American War.

Boutwell was instrumental in framing the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments, initiating the impeachment of Andrew Johnson, and investigating white vigilante violence against Black people in Mississippi in the 1870s. For seven decades, George Boutwell sought to “redeem America’s promise” through racial equality, economic equity, and the humane use of American power abroad.

Jeffrey Boutwell is a writer and historian living in Columbia, Maryland, after a 40-year career in journalism, government, and international scientific policy. He began his career as a reporter and editor with the famed City News Bureau of Chicago and was a book reviewer for the Chicago Sun-Times. After two years in the Windy City, Boutwell moved to Berlin and then to England, where he received an M.Sc. in Economics and Politics from the London School of Economics. He received a Ph.D. in political science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1984. He has written and spoken widely on issues ranging from nuclear weapons arms control to Middle East peace to environmental issues.

A woman in green sits reading a book with a a green toned street-scape behind her. Otherwise, the cover is orange with Harlem Rhapsody in deep red.

Victoria Christopher Murray & Harlem Rhapsody

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A woman in green sits reading a book with a a green toned street-scape behind her. Otherwise, the cover is orange with Harlem Rhapsody in deep red.

For adults.
Tue, Feb 18 | 7 – 8 pm
HCLS Elkridge Branch
Register at bit.ly/Author_Murray
Victoria Christopher Murray discusses her historical fiction novel Harlem Rhapsody, which transports readers into glittering 1920’s Harlem. Readers follow Jessie Redmon Fauset, the heartbeat of its literary revolution, as she discovers and nurtures icons like Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen, Nella Larsen, and Zora Neale Hurston.

In the 1920s, Harlem flourished as a place of Black pride. As the novel follows Fauset’s career, the reader is privy to both the brilliant creativity happening at this time while simultaneously understanding the experience of a Black woman who had to combat incredible sexism and racism to succeed.
With almost three million books in print, NAACP Image Award-winning author Victoria Christopher Murray is one of the country’s top Black contemporary writers. As the co-author with Marie Benedict of the breakout hits and New York Times bestsellers The Personal Librarian and The First Ladies, she traced the lives of Belle de Costa Greene, J.P. Morgan’s personal librarian, and the Black civil rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune.

MORE ABOUT THE HARLEM RENAISSANCE
by Emily B.
Every February we celebrate Black History Month, but did you know that January is International Creativity Month? This intersection of Black history and creativity makes this time of year perfect to celebrate Black artists. One of the most important Black artists of the 20th century is Jacob Lawrence, best known for chronicling contemporary and historical African American life in the United States.
Born in Atlantic City, New Jersey in 1917, Lawrence was a self-proclaimed, “child of the great migration.” His parents were two of six million Black Americans who fled the racist, Jim Crow south in search of freedom and opportunities in Northern cities.

Lawrence’s family relocated to Harlem when he was 13. Though young, he was able to experience firsthand the Harlem Renaissance, a period of great cultural revival for African Americans that lasted from the 1910s through the mid-1930s. Lawrence described his art style as “dynamic cubism.” His work stood out from more traditional cubist works through his use of angular forms and bold colors, which represented the strong and resilient spirit of the African American community. His use of vibrant colors continued in his later works, like 1977’s The Swearing In.*

His most notable work, The Migration Series, encompasses sixty panel paintings depicting The Great Migration. Influenced by his parents’ plight and the art scene in Harlem, Lawrence began the ambitious
project at only 23 years old. He worked simultaneously on each panel to ensure the colors and style remained harmonious throughout the entire project. Thanks to funding from the Works Project Administration, a New Deal government agency, Lawrence was able to fully realize his artistic vision.
Soon after completing the Migration Series panels, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York and The Phillips Gallery in Washington, DC purchased the panels, making Lawrence the first Black artist to have his work purchased by MoMA. Today, the two museums continue their shared custody of The Migration Series.

To view each panel from The Migration Series and learn more about Jacob Lawrence’s life and his works, visit: lawrencemigration.phillipscollection.org or borrow Jacob Lawrence: The Migration Series by Leah Dickerman. Young readers may enjoy Jake Makes a World: Jacob Lawrence, a Young Artist in Harlem by Sharifa Rhodes-Pitts.

*A framed art print of The Swearing In is available to borrow from the Art Education Collection at Central and Glenwood Branches.

National Gallery of Art: Black Art & Artists in the Collection
For adults.
Wed, Feb 12 | 3 – 4 pm
Online
Find more information at bit.ly/NGA-BlackArt
Witness the enduring mark Black artists have made on American art — from 19th century painters Joshua Johnson and Robert Seldon Duncanson to modern and contemporary artists Faith Ringgold, Alma Thomas, and more. Presented by The National Gallery of Art. This class is a part of the Museum@TheLibrary series.

For African American History Month

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African American Read-in

“It is important for all of us to see ourselves in books.” – Dr. Jerrie Cobb Scott, founder of the African American Read-In

Howard County Library System joins our community in honoring Black History Month, a month-long celebration of African American life, History, and culture, established by Dr. Carter G. Woodson in 1926 and founded and promoted by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). The ASALH states that Black History Month is a, “way to promote, research, preserve, interpret, and disseminate information about Black life, History, and culture to the global community.” February events at HCLS are for a variety of ages and include read-ins, stories, and crafts. Events planned with a teen audience as the focus include an AfroFuturism ArtLab and teen art exhibit, an author event with We Need Diverse Books founding member Lamar Giles, and an online discussion featuring curator Kevin Strait from the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.

The African American Read-In “was established in 1990 by the Black Caucus of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) to make literacy a significant part of Black History Month.” The commitment for nationwide promotion extends from 1990 to the present. To date, the initiative has reached more than six million participants around the world.

According to the NCTE website, “During the month of February, schools, churches, libraries, bookstores, community and professional organizations, and interested citizens are urged to make literacy a significant part of Black History Month by hosting an African American Read-In. Hosting an event can be as simple as bringing together friends to share a book or as elaborate as arranging public readings and media presentations that feature professional African American writers.”

Tracey Williams, president of the Southern Howard County/Laurel Chapter of Continentals Society, Inc., says, “It is crucial for all children to hear the voices of African American authors, gain insight into their experiences, and explore our rich heritage.”

Howard County Library System celebrates African American authors and culture as a participant in the National African American Read-In.

Read-In Opportunities
All ages; drop-in.
Honor Black History Month by participating in the National African American Read-In. Community partners and library staff read aloud from books by African American authors. Light refreshments.
Sat, Feb 8 at 12 – 2 pm
HCLS East Columbia Branch
Sat, Feb 8 at 1 – 3 pm
HCLS Glenwood Branch

Meet at the children’s bubble wall to hear library staff read stories by African American authors. Listen for just one or stay for more!
Thu, Feb 20 at 1 – 2 pm
HCLS Elkridge Branch

Anansi Tales & Crafts
Ages 3 – 11.
Anansi is a classic African folktale character who is known for his trickster ways. Enjoy his woven web of cunning triumphs!
Fri, Feb 28 at 10:30 – 11: 15 am
HCLS Central Branch

In partnership with: Continental Societies, Inc., Southeastern Regional Howard County/Laurel Chapter; Columbia Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc.; Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center; The Society Incorporated, Howard County, MD Chapter; Howard County Public School System; Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Iota Lambda Omega Chapter Emerging Leaders; African American Community Roundtable of Howard County; and the Youth Leadership Program.

Afrofuturism for Teens

In a circle, a stylized African woman's face is layered with orange color swatches and lines. An orange horizontal banner reads: Afrofuturism: Teen Art Exhibit: Feb 20-28, HCLS Miller Branch

Afrofuturism ArtLab: Learn & Create!
Ages 11 – 18. Register here.
What is Afrofuturism? Explore this multimedia concept, then create your own related artwork. Your work may be chosen for HCLS Miller Branch’s Afrofuturism Student Art Exhibit for Black History Month. All materials supplied, but feel free to bring anything you would like.
Sat, Feb 8 at 3 – 5 pm
HCLS Miller Branch

Afrofuturism with NMAAHC Curator Kevin Strait
All ages. Register here.
Curator Kevin Strait from the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African American History and Culture discusses his recent exhibit, Afrofuturism: A History of Black Futures. Strait shares the history of Afrofuturism, and how the exhibition explores and reveals Afrofuturism’s historic and poignant engagement with African American history and popular culture.
Thu, Feb 20 at 6 – 7 pm
online & HCLS Miller Branch

A deep red cover with a Black young man's head in deep shadow. The person's eyes and mouth are drawn to appear sewn shut crudely.

Author Event: Lamar Giles
Ages 10 and up.
Register here.
A founding member of We Need Diverse Books, Lamar Giles discusses his novel, The Getaway, (currently in development for TV), and his journey as a writer, while engaging in a Q&A moderated by local teens.
School Library Journal writes, “Nonstop action, increasingly dangerous risks, and themes of racism and classism will keep readers engaged and flying through this one—and rethinking that planned resort vacation.”
Mon, Feb 24 at 6 – 8 pm
HCLS Miller Branch

Celebrating 85 surrounds a set of candles with dark blue text that says Evening in the Stacks, Howard County Library System.

Branch Raffles & Birthday Bash

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Celebrating 85 surrounds a set of candles with dark blue text that says Evening in the Stacks, Howard County Library System. Plus a neon lit sneaker, advertising the event as a sneaker ball.

BRANCH RAFFLES Branch raffle tickets are available online or at every branch. The last day to purchase raffle tickets is Feb 21. Winners will be drawn by February 26 and notified by email and/or phone. Nearly 80 businesses donate items for this raffle. Please make sure to thank those that you see on the prize lists by giving them your business! Raffle tickets are $5 each, and you can win any of these prizes: 

  • Grand Prize: Disney Vacation Club 4 Night Stay 
  • Two tickets to Evening in the Stacks on Feb 22 (in branch sales only)  
  • Six branch community baskets with donations from area businesses
  • Family fun package filled with tickets and gift cards to local attractions

Purchase tickets or become a sponsor at hclibrary.org/stacks. Did you know that Friends & Foundation of HCLS raises more than $100,000 each year to support the library’s educational initiatives? Evening in the Stacks is an important winter fundraiser that helps them reach that goal. When you make a $500 or more donation to the Friends, you receive two tickets to the party! 

EVENING IN THE STACKS: BIRTHDAY BASH Party at our sneaker ball in your snazziest outfit and your coolest kicks. Live in the spotlight during a live sneaker contest before our guest DJ gets the dance floor jumping. Enjoy a gourmet meal by Rouge Catering, sip signature drinks by The Wine Bin and Sobar, and endless birthday entertainment.  

How much are tickets? Tickets are $125 if purchased by January 31.Beginning February 1, tickets are $150 or two for $285. Purchase tickets or become a sponsor at hclibrary.org/stacks.

This year’s gala fundraiser benefits the vital work HCLS does to help prepare young children  
for kindergarten.

THANKS TO THE SPONSORS

Platinum 
Friends & Foundation of HCLS   
Gold 
The Common Kitchen at Clarksville Commons 
Howard Hughes Corporation 
Ron and Ellen Flynn Giles 
Hoenes Family Foundation   
Photo Booth 
Grimm + Parker Architects   
Silver 
Howard County Economic Development Authority 
Ronald and Cynthia Gula Charitable Fund   
Bronze 
Ayers Saint Gross 
Columbia Association 
Connection 
COPT Defense Properties   
Media 
Columbia Inspired 
FunFitnessFamily   
In-Kind 
Brown & Associates, Inc. 
Rouge Catering 
The Wine Bin 

Lunar New Year: Year of the Snake

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January 29 marks the beginning of the lunar new year and two weeks of celebration. 2025 is the Year of the Snake according to the Chinese calendar, and folks will celebrate with cultural traditions, family reunions, and hopes for good fortune in the coming year. According to chinesenewyear.net, “The Snake, symbolizing wisdom and transformation, offers opportunities for personal growth and change.” We invite you to mark the lunar new year at the library, with classes for everyone:

Lunar New Year: What Animal Are You?
All ages.
Drop in all month to celebrate Lunar New Year! Are you a lion? An ox? A rabbit? Find out what animal matches your birth year, then decorate a paper animal to join others in this self-directed community art project. Which of the twelve zodiac animals will have the most on display? On January 31, our community art project ends and reveals which animal has the most matches.
Jan 2 – 31 at HCLS Savage Branch
ongoing during regular hours

Lunar New Year Celebration
Families, all ages.
Celebrate Lunar New Year with stories, songs, and a craft.
Wed, Jan 29
2 – 2:45 pm
HCLS East Columbia Branch

Lunar New Year Fest
For families. Registration recommended at bit.ly/Lunar2025
Experience the rich traditions of the Lunar New Year with live performances, engaging activities for all ages, and educational presentations about the holiday’s cultural significance. Savor traditional snacks and drinks while connecting with friends and neighbors at this community collaboration.
Bring your family and friends to welcome the Year of the Snake in a joyful, festive atmosphere!
Sat, Feb 1
1 – 4 pm
HCLS East Columbia Branch

And you can always practice your language skills at:

World Languages Cafe
For teens and adults. Register at bit.ly/languagescafehcls
In collaboration with the Columbia Association, the World Language Cafe takes place at the East Columbia 50+ Center and HCLS Miller Branch. The World Languages Café (WLC) provides a venue where people meet to practice a world language with fellow community members, facilitated by a native or fluent speaker of that language.
Over the years, the WLC has featured languages including American Sign Language, Chinese Mandarin, Dutch, French, Hebrew, Irish Gaelic, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, and Spanish. If you are interested in volunteering as a language table host, please contact diane.li@hclibrary.org
4th Tuesdays; 7 – 8:45 pm
East Columbia 50+ Center

2nd Thursdays; 7 – 8:45 pm
HCLS Miller Branch

A variety of dried seeds and seed pods sit in a paper box.

Howard County Seed Drive

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A variety of dried seeds and seed pods sit in a paper box.

For everyone. Follow this link for more information.
Saturday, January 25 from 1 to 4 pm at HCLS Miller Branch.

What can gardeners do in the cold of winter when the ground is frozen? Dig into sustainable gardening and help stock our community Seed Library! Learn, share, and take part in free demonstrations and workshops. Activities include:

  • Backyard composting demonstration
  • Winter seed sowing demonstration
  • Ask a Master Gardener
  • Bay-Wise sustainable gardening information

You do not have to bring any seeds to participate in the Seed Drive. You can take part in the Seed Library by visiting Miller Branch on select dates. While the Seed Library does not open on January 25, you are welcome to visit it on one of the other open dates. Find the full schedule here.

All ages and experience levels welcome, from those who have never gardened but would like to learn, to those who have grown flowers and veggies for years. Families welcome (children must be accompanied). Both seeds harvested from your garden and seed packets are welcome. New to seed harvesting? Find advice here.

Fuel Creativity, Find Wellbeing

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The photograph depicts a tray of colorful watercolors next to two paintbrushes and a pile of painted papers, against a background of golden twinkle lights.

by Jean B.
January is a time for new beginnings, offering both promise and uncertainty. It’s appropriate that we mark International Creativity Month in January because creating something new can simultaneously revitalize us and relieve stress. Research shows that engaging in creative activity enhances both mental and physical health, boosting our immune systems, countering depression, expanding brain connections, and reducing anxiety. When you immerse yourself in a creative task — whether it’s art, music, dance, writing, crafting, woodworking, needle arts, puzzling —your emotions find release, self-esteem grows, worries can fade. An act of creation provides a sense of control, accomplishment, joy, and optimism.

Are you ready to try something new? Do you have a creative impulse but need some ideas, support, tools, instruction? HCLS has resources you can use by yourself at home, or alongside others in our six lively branches. Spark your creativity in the New Year!

Unwind and Align
For adults. Register at bit.ly/wellness_mil
Sat, Jan 18 | 1 – 3 pm
HCLS Miller Branch
Experience seated Qigong breathwork, guided meditation and mindfulness, sound healing, and Reiki energy in an informal, open setting. Facilitated by Janice B. Wellness & Friends.

Two people, wearing white safety goggles, peer into the laser cutter at HCLS Glewood Branch.
12/18/24 – Creative customers make individual snowflake ornaments at HCLS Glenwood Branch + Makerspace.

CREATE AT THE LIBRARY

  • Reserve the recording booth at the Glenwood Branch makerspace and sing your heart out! Or use the laser engraver and 3D printer to create personalized objects (materials must be purchased).
  • In the Builders Barn, a variety of materials invite children to create.
  • Visit the DIY Center at the Elkridge Branch for instruction in all kinds of arts, from sewing machine skills to painting to woodworking.
  • Join groups at various branches for crocheting, knitting, coloring, crafting and camaraderie. Look out for occasional craft supply swaps at Central Branch if you’re changing hobbies to clean out the old and stock up for something new.
  • Dance, sing, play and experiment at every branch with the children in your life when you attend one of our many children’s classes.

BORROW FROM THE LIBRARY

  • Ukuleles! Borrow a kit that includes an ukulele, tuner, and case. (Then take online lessons through Artistworks, described below.)
  • How-to-books! Want to try out drawing Manga? Origami? Cooking? Woodcarving? You’ll find help on our shelves.
  • Framed works of art! Get inspiration for your own masterpiece by borrowing art from the Central and Glenwood branches.

LEARN ONLINE at hclibrary.org:

  • Explore ArtistWorks, a vast library of free self-paced online video classes, taught by Grammy Award-winning musicians. Among the many options: country vocals, jazz drums, flute, clarinet, bluegrass guitar – and of course, ukulele!
  • Discover HCLS’ YouTube channel featuring your favorite library staff as they demonstrate how to make stuff from DIY crafts, to children’s projects, to art techniques.

Jean is a Children’s Instructor and Research Specialist at HCLS Central Branch. She loves talking about books with people of all ages, but especially enjoys leading the Heavy Medals book club for fourth and fifth graders, exploring award-winning books of all genres. 

The photograph is of the display cases in the Miller Branch hallway, which contain documents, maps, photographs, books, and artifacts related to Lafayette and his visit to America.

Everyone Give It Up for America’s Favorite Fighting Frenchman: Lafayette

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by Angie Latham Kozlowski, Co-Chair, Franco-American Memorial Committee, Col. Thomas Dorsey Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution

Revered Revolutionary War figure Gilbert du Motier, the Marquis de Lafayette, left France at age nineteen to aid America’s battle for independence from the British Monarchy. He was determined to fight for the American cause against the wishes of his father-in-law and the prohibition of France’s King Louis XVI. On December 7, 1776, while in Paris, Lafayette received a commission of Major General in the Continental Army, which was approved by the Continental Congress on July 31, 1777. As Lafayette began making travel plans, he purchased a ship with an experienced crew, along with twelve handpicked fellow French officers, and absconded to Spain. The ship was called the “Victoire,” and it set sail for America on April 20, 1777.

Lafayette risked his life in notable battles such as Brandywine and Yorktown, earning admiration from Americans and fellow soldiers alike. His enlightened views on equality and zealous support for American independence endeared him to General George Washington, who reportedly came to treat Lafayette as a son. Lafayette’s steadfast commitment to the American cause and his ideals of liberty cemented his legacy as one of the Revolution’s most beloved figures.

The photograph is of the display cases in the Miller Branch hallway, which contain documents, maps, photographs, books, and artifacts related to Lafayette and his visit to America.

Celebrating Lafayette’s Bicentennial as Guest of the Nation

In 1824, President James Monroe invited the 67-year-old Lafayette, the last surviving major general of the Continental Army, to return to America as the “Guest of the Nation.” His year-long Farewell Tour rekindled the nation’s gratitude and admiration. To commemorate the 200th anniversary of this historic visit, the Bicentennial of Lafayette’s Farewell Tour began in New York City on August 15, 2024. The tour retraces Lafayette’s original route and celebrates his profound impact on the young America.

Lafayette and his entourage visited Howard County with a stop in Lisbon on December 29, 1824, en route to Frederick. There is a commemorative Lafayette Tour marker, with an inscription that notes that an arch was erected by the community to welcome him.

The photograph is of the display cases in the Miller Branch hallway, which contain documents, maps, photographs, books, and artifacts related to Lafayette and his visit to America.

Explore Lafayette’s Legacy at the Miller Branch Library

The Bicentennial celebration recreates Lafayette’s tour as it unfolded in 1824 and 1825. The community can learn more about Lafayette and his return to America from the Colonel Thomas Dorsey Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution General Lafayette’s Farewell Tour Exhibit at HCLS Miller Branch this December.

Visit the exhibit to learn more about Lafayette’s extraordinary life, his role in America’s fight for independence, and the enduring significance of his Farewell Tour.