Historian Elizabeth M. Reese believes lessons from the Marquis de Lafayette's tour of the United States 200 years ago still resonate today.

Lafayette's Grand Tour will be the topic of Reese's speaking engagement at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 18, at Historic Rock Ford, 881 Rockford Road, Lancaster.

Reese's presentation, part of the museum's Lafayette Lecture Series, will be held on the first floor of the Rock Ford barn, which will open to guests at 1:45 p.m. There will be an entrance fee, and the ticket will include admission to the Snyder Gallery, on the second floor of the barn, and the 2025 Focus Exhibit, "1825: Lafayette in Lancaster." The gallery will close at 4 p.m.

Preregistration is strongly encouraged and can be made at www.historicrockford.org/special-events; tickets will also be available at the door if the event is not sold out in advance.

A historian based in Washington, D.C., Reese has worked as an interpreter at historic sites on the East Coast, and has been published in Time magazine, The New York Times, and C-SPAN.

Reese's first book, "Marquis de Lafayette Returns: A Tour of America's National Capital Region," was published in 2024. There will be a limited number of copies available for purchase and signing by Reese.

Historic Rock Ford curator Sarah Alberico said, "I attended a presentation on Lafayette's national tour that Elizabeth recently gave to the York County History Center and thought she had such a wonderful presentation. ... I think it's really important to support other young professionals in the field. Elizabeth just released a book about Lafayette, and she's a spectacular presenter, so I was delighted that she agreed to come and present at Historic Rock Ford. We really look forward to having her here."

A French nobleman, Lafayette is a consequential figure in American history, revered here and in his home country.

Inspired by the cause of the American Revolution, Lafayette paid for his trip from France and used his connections to help generate funds for the war effort. He became a major general at the age of 19 and later commanded American forces in the Battle of Yorktown, the war's final major battle.

"Lafayette is the personification of selfless service and core American values," said Reese.

As the United States approached its 50th anniversary as a nation, President James Monroe invited Lafayette to return to the country to instill a sense of patriotism and help bridge political divides that arose following the War of 1812, said Reese. "Monroe wanted the people of the country to begin seeing themselves as collective Americans rather than simply residents of isolated states," she said.

People rallied around Lafayette's return, traveling for miles to see him back when it was rare for most to leave the county where they were born.

The Frenchman went to all 24 states and stopped in Lancaster July 27 to 29, 1825, visiting Revolutionary War veterans and attending balls in his honor. The city named a hotel, street, and elementary school in his honor.

Reese feels a personal connection with Lafayette's story. She joked Lafayette was "the only person in human existence who can say" he was friends with both Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton, and Reese worked at the Hamilton Grange National Memorial, which was Alexander Hamilton's home. She also worked at the United States Capitol, and the Rotunda was completed in time for Lafayette's 1824 visit. The sandstone floor and walls today are from that time period. A portrait of Lafayette hangs in the United States House of Representatives.

Reese is currently employed as the senior manager of public programs and interpretation at Woodlawn & Pope-Leighey House in Alexandria, Va., the home of Eleanor Parke Custis Lewis, George Washington's step-granddaughter, and Lafayette visited Woodlawn multiple times during his tour. "I joke that Lafayette has kind of followed me around in my career," Reese said.

The author noted that the popularity of the musical "Hamilton" introduced younger people to Lafayette, which is fitting because she said Lafayette is an example of how youths can make major changes in the world.

Reese is eagerly anticipating her presentation at Historic Rock Ford. "I have always loved the Lancaster area," she said. "I am very, very passionate about local history and find it very interesting. When you focus on local history and let it take center stage, it's an effective way to get people interested in history. It's important that we understand how the past impacts our lives today and that our lives now will impact future generations."