Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier de La Fayette, or as he’s better known throughout history, the Marquis de Lafayette, is a historical figure whose personal history and ideals are deeply connected to the history of Fayetteville.

Known to most as a hero of the American Revolutionary War, Lafayette was a French aristocrat who, at the ripe age of nineteen, traveled across the sea to offer his aid and services to the Continental Congress at the precipice of the birth of the United States of America.

Spurred to action by his core beliefs of human rights, civil liberties, and man’s equality under God, Lafayette would go on to play a crucial role in America’s victory in the Revolutionary War against Great Britain, from being wounded at the Battle of Brandywine, to aiding in the defeat of Charles Cornwallis at the siege of Yorktown.

This man, Lafayette, is the foundation of an organization actively working to mold our community in line with his ideals for the betterment of everyone. The Lafayette Society, founded in 1981, was conceptualized as a way to honor and uphold the values expounded by Lafayette.

Those ideals are generosity, patriotism, leadership, support of human rights for all and opposition to slavery and oppression. Though many cities and towns share his namesake, our humble city of Fayetteville is the only one he personally visited during his time in our country. This fact emboldens those who support and share in his beliefs to inspire and connect with other like-minded individuals in the pursuit of emulating the characteristics that marked Lafayette as a legend of the revolution.
Working within our shared community, the Lafayette Society endeavors to educate the community on its history deriving from the Marquis de Lafayette. Guest lectures, celebrations and helping in the organization of educational events and activities across the city are only a few of the things that the Lafayette Society does for our community.

“The Lafayette Society was founded over 40 years ago by Martha Duell. She recognized that the city of Lafayette was, in fact, named after the Marquis de Lafayette, she understood what the Marquis de Lafayette meant to America and its formation, his role, which was working with Washington during the revolution and his ideals for humanity. So, she formed the organization,” said Dr. Gwenesta Melton, current board president of the LaFayette Society.

Duell was widely regarded as a model citizen within our city who strove to uplift and unite our community for the sole reason of altruism. Truly, it appears as though the torch of humanity shared by Lafayette was passed down throughout the ages to inspire us once more. This sentiment, shared by Dr. Melton, is a core belief of the organization in its pursuits to laud the tenets of Lafayette’s vision of America’s future society.

“I became more interested the more I read about him [the Marquis de Lafayette]. He was a champion of freedom, he opposed slavery and oppression, and he was really adamant about human rights and women’s rights. That really resonated with me. Here’s a visionary that was ahead of his time. This was the epitome of diversity, inclusivity, giving everyone an opportunity, and doing it yourself. That’s what got me extremely interested in him. Even his leadership qualities as such a young person really resonated with me as well. That’s how I got involved,” said Melton.

The Lafayette Society has established itself as an organization of individuals with a shared belief in what our country was founded upon. Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That all people were created equal and that these rights are unalienable.

These ideals, shared by the Marquis de Lafayette, have continued to inspire people to this day. Their goal to educate and inspire, not only those currently residing in our shared community but also the next generation, are a hallmark of Fayetteville’s rich history in diversity, opportunity and unity that truly promote the legacy of those who gave their all in the pursuit of these ideals.

They believe that through education and spreading awareness of our shared history and values that we may come together for the sake of each other. That we may uplift each other and support one another in our times of struggle and hardship. As it was in the past, Up & Coming Weekly loudly proclaims with many others, “Vive Lafayette!”

The LaFayette Society will be hosting their annual meeting and luncheon social on Sunday, March 3 at 12:30 p.m. at SkyView on Hay St. Attendees will hear a talk on the similarities between the military during LaFayette's time and now. For more information on The Lafayette Society, their upcoming events, next year’s bicentennial celebration, or to get involved yourself, please visit their website at https://www.lafayettesociety.org/. U&CW’s coverage of The Lafayette Society, their plans and events will continue as we get closer and closer to the 200th year celebration of Lafayette’s Farewell Tour on March 4th and 5th, 2025.