Tall Ship Hermione Visits Alexandria

SOURCE: Visit Alexandria

This summer, Alexandria welcomes Hermione, an exact replica of the ship that brought the Marquis de Lafayette to George Washington with news of full French aid in 1780, turning the tide of the American Revolution. To commemorate Lafayette’s historic voyage, the reconstructed French tall ship will sail 3,819 miles from France to the U.S. 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, 2015, Alexandria will host Hermione and pier-side activities, while celebrating the city’s French connections for 10 days, June 5-14, with special lectures, an historic ball at Gadsby’s Tavern, and special French offerings from Alexandria restaurants. Alexandria’s historic sites will interpret Lafayette’s role in the American Revolution as well as his return trip to Alexandria in 1824. Leading up to the June festivities, look for May lectures and the ‘Lafayette in Alexandria’ Day with free museum open houses.

Special events
Restaurant offerings
Pier-side activities June 10, 11 and 12 include 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.

Open to the public on June 10 – 12, 2015 from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Limited Hermione tours at the Alexandria Marina on:

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.
*Final boarding begins 30 minutes prior to closing time (3:30 p.m. on Wed. and Thurs.; 6:30 p.m. on Fri.)

Tour 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 now sold out and all group tours have been booked.

Audio Tours by Geotourist

Learn about the commemorative voyage of the Hermione and its history by listening to the free audio tour. The tour is available in both English and French.

Simply download the Geotourist app on the Apple or Google app stores to access the Hermione voyage audio tour.

http://www.visitalexandriava.com/calendar-of-events/hermione-in-alexandria/June 10-12, 2015

Wednesday, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Thursday and Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Dockside exhibits open until 7 p.m.
Alexandria Marina, 0 Cameron Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
703-746-3301
Limited free tour tickets available dockside; advance tickets SOLD OUT
www.visitalexandriava.com/hermione

Alexandria’s marina will host Hermione, an authentic, handcrafted, life-sized reconstruction of the 18th century wooden tall ship that brought the Marquis de Lafayette to George Washington in 1780 with full French aid, turning the tide of the American Revolution. Explore this three-masted, 177-foot-long ship on sailor-guided tours, stroll through waterfront exhibits with living history characters and enjoy related events and French dining in Alexandria

http://www.visitalexandriava.com/articles/view/All-American-Summer-in-Alexandria/131/