French Tall Ship Hermione Arrives Next Week in Alexandria

PHOTO: French tall ship Hermione arrives next week in Alexandria. Photo by Francis Latreille

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Next week, Alexandria, welcomes an exact replica of the ship that brought the Marquis de Lafayette to George Washington with news of full French aid in 1780, helping turn the tide of the American Revolution. French tall ship Hermione will sail 3,819 miles across the Atlantic from France to the United States to commemorate Lafayette’s historic voyage before docking in Alexandria, the ship’s Washington, D.C. port of call and one of 12 iconic stops on its tour.

On June 10, 11 and 12, Alexandria will host Hermione while celebrating Alexandria’s French connections for 10 days, Friday, June 5 to Sunday, June 14, with special lectures, a film screening, an historic ball at Gadsby’s Tavern, and special French offerings from Alexandria restaurants. During Hermione’s visit, June 10 to 12, visitors can take part in pier-side festivities and exhibits including historic shipbuilding and Virginia colonial crafts demonstrations, costumed characters, French 18th-century musical performances from Opera Lafayette, interpretive stations with the 1st Virginia Regiment and Alexandria Seaport Foundation, and a traveling photographic exhibition that tells the story of Hermione, its reconstruction, and Lafayette’s role in the American Revolution.

From Friday, June 5 to 14, Alexandria’s historic sites will interpret Lafayette’s role in the American Revolution as well as his return trip to Alexandria in 1824.

Restaurants with special French menus and offers include La Bergerie, Del Ray Café, La Madeleine, Bastille, Delia’s, Gadsby’s Tavern Restaurant and Union Street Public House. La Bergerie and La Madeleine are sponsors of the first day’s festivities.

Here’s all the scoop:

WHEN: Dockside Festivities: Wednesday, June 10 – Friday, June 12, Daily 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Tours (limited availability): Wednesday, June 10 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Thursday, June 11 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Friday June 12 from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.

WHERE: Alexandria City Marina, 0 Cameron Street, Alexandria, VA 22314

TICKETS: Free timed tour tickets are required to tour the Hermione. A limited number of tickets will be distributed at 8:30 a.m. and 12 noon each day at the dock. Advance tickets are sold out. Dockside exhibits and festivities are free and open to the public (no ticket needed).

WEB: www.VisitAlexandriaVA.com/hermione

RELATED EVENTS

“Lafayette in Alexandria” Exhibit at Alexandria Archaeology Museum
May 31-June 14, 2015
Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 1-5 p.m.
Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union St., Alexandria, VA 22314
703-746-4399
Free
alexandriava.gov/Archaeology

Visit the Alexandria Archaeology Museum, inside the Torpedo Factory Art Center, to view an exhibition that features archaeological materials from the Marquis de Lafayette’s return trip to Alexandria in October 1824 as “Our Nation’s Guest.” As part of Lafayette’s visit to America, commemorative decorative wares such as portraits, ribbons, and ceramic cups and plates were created and sold in many of the cities along the his route. The objects featured here represent items from Alexandrians wishing to celebrate Lafayette and his contributions to the cause of liberty.


Lafayette Guided Tours
June 1-30, 2015
Offered daily by appointment
Alexandria and Northern Virginia locations
703-407-6663
$199
www.dcmilitarytour.com

In celebration of Lafayette’s return tour to the United States in 1824, you can visit the locations that the Marquis did in Northern Virginia that summer. The Lafayette Tour includes admission, transportation, and an expert guide for groups up to five persons to Mount Vernon, Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, and the Lee Mansion at Arlington. On June 10-12, 2015, tour participants can visit the tall ship Hermione in Alexandria’s harbor.

“Lafayette” Film Screening
June 9, 2015
7 p.m.
The Lyceum, Alexandria’s History Museum, 201 S. Washington St., Alexandria, VA 22314
703-746-3960
Free admission
www.alexandriava.gov/Historic

A video of the stage performance of ‘Lafayette’ will be shown free of charge. This special film screening will be shown once in each port, in advance of the arrival of Hermione, so don’t miss this special opportunity. Doors open at 7 p.m. and a special historical overview of Lafayette and his role in the American Revolution will be presented by noted historian and author Marc Leepson. Leepson will follow up the video with a Q&A. No advance tickets are required.

Lecture: “Teenage Hero: The Marquis de Lafayette”
June 11, 2015
7:30-9 p.m.
The Lyceum, Alexandria’s History Museum, 201 S. Washington St., Alexandria, VA 22314
703-746-3960
$10
www.alexandriava.gov/Historic

In celebration of Hermione’s visit to Alexandria, noted scholar and Lafayette biographer Harlow Giles Unger will present a lecture on the young French hero, who left a life of luxury to fight and nearly die for liberty in America. Admission includes a 20 percent discount on Mr. Unger’s book, “Lafayette,” and a book signing following the lecture.

Lafayette Ball at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum
June 13, 2015
8-11 p.m.
Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
703-746-4242
$45; Reservations required
www.alexandriava.gov/GadsbysTavern

Dance the night away as the Hermione heads to its next stop in Baltimore and celebrate our Revolutionary War victory! This revolutionary-era period ball will feature a variety of English country dances, live music, and seasonal desserts. Period costume optional, “after-five” attire encouraged.