2026 AFL Annual Meeting Schedule (current as of 5/16/26)
June 11 @ 6:15 pm - June 14 @ 10:30 am
2026 AFL ANNUAL MEETING – ONLY $489
Per Person!
(Thursday thru Sunday) June 11th thru 14th
(Optional pre-meeting event on the evening of Wednesday, June 10th)
YOU CAN NOW REGISTER HERE: https://www.friendsoflafayette.org/event-6571663/Registration
* * * SCROLL DOWN TO BOTTOM FOR A “SPECIAL GIFT OFFER” * * *
NEW UPDATES: The Thursday evening “After-Kick Off Social” has been changed due the Napoleon House’s announcement they are shortening their summer hours to a 9 PM closing time – which will not allow us to get there in time (Sorry!). INSTEAD, after we return from the WW2 museum, we will make our way into the Omni Royal Orleans’ new The Royal Bar, which also includes its new “Three Maries Jazz Club” which is a speakeasy that’s hidden behind The Royal Bar – and a throwback to prohibition times. OR, we can consider going to world famous Pat O’Brien’s piano and patio bar just a few blocks from the hotel. TBA.
ALSO, If you’re coming, our room block with the huge discounts is nearly full . . . and the room block deal ends on May 7th. So, if you’re coming, move quick on registering and making your hotel reservation – or there’s no certainty of availability after that date.
PLEASE NOTE: We are continuing to work on ADDING EVENTS and activities to give you the greatest value for the cost. We might have to revise some events or times. We will be constantly updating this page with more details on each of our events, such as speakers, entertainment, special guests, specific times and menus, etc. Please check back regularly for updates! But for now, this will provide what you need to know. Be on the lookout for emails from Chuck. Feel free to contact John Scurich with any questions or requests at (504) 722-6662 or email at: AFL.Louisiana@gmail.com
Wednesday, June 10th (OPTIONAL pre-meeting event – Additional charge / Not included in the registration): Steamboat Natchez River Cruise: SPECIAL “AFL PRICE” of only $86 per person 
Evening Dinner & Jazz Cruise on the paddlewheel Steamboat Natchez cruising the Mississippi River and the New Orleans skyline. This is an opportunity for those coming into New Orleans early to get together for a fun evening. Those who did this at our April bicentennial loved it. The nighttime experience is even more beautiful. NOTE: AFL members will be given a special discount code for a lower price than the general public pays. Our AFL price is only $86 per person (discounted from the public’s price of $107.50). So, if you’re interested, please wait for Chuck to send out the special code. YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS THIS! For more details on this pre-meeting event – and to obtain the discount code, click here: https://afl-louisiana.com/event/steamboat-natchez-dinner-cruise/
GPS Address for the Natchez pier: 400 Toulouse Street, New Orleans, LA 70130
Thursday, June 11th
Evening (6:30 PM): Annual Meeting KICK-OFF EVENT at the NATIONAL WORLD WAR II MUSEUM / Stagedoor Canteen. 6:00 p.m. first bus leaves the bus depot at Natchez dock. Event starts at 6:30 p.m.
(NOTE: We will meet in the hotel lobby at 5:30 PM to start walking to the bus depot next to the Natchez dock / there will be two rounds of bus shuttling.
Bring your appetite and your dancing shoes! At a venue that pays tribute to the famous Hollywood Stagedoor Canteen where movie stars entertained our WW2 troops, the AFL will celebrate a “Salute to America 250 & the Greatest Generation” with a grand “New Orleans” cuisine buffet and a 14-piece big-band – The “Victory Swing Orchestra” – and Lafayette, of course! NOTE: A Special Offer from the National World War 2 Museum. Since this event is considered more casual, consider spending the day at the National WW2 Museum prior to our event at a special discounted price – just for AFL members! When purchasing your tickets online, enter the code: AFL. This will get you an additional $2 off your purchase. The Museum has arranged for our members to remain there after it closes at 5 p.m. instead of having to return to the hotel. We will get things rolling by 6:30 p.m. and those choosing to remain at the Museum will be able to wait for the rest of us at its Rosie the Riveter’s rooftop lounge across the street atop the museum’s beautiful Higgins Hotel. DRESS is casual. For more information on the National World War II Museum, go to: https://www.nationalww2museum.org/
GPS Address for the WW2 Museum: 945 Magazine St., New Orleans, LA 70130 (Garage parking directly across on Magazine St. next to the Higgins Hotel)
NOTE: This event is included in the Annual Meeting registration package, but non-members and the general public can purchase individual tickets to this Kick-Off Event – AND having a ticket to this event will get you a free invite to the Saturday night “Social at the Hermann-Grima House.” Click here to purchase: https://ticketstripe.com/events/3482108754449395
A SURPRISE ADDITION! Roy Wulf as Lafayette! 
We are thrilled to have the “newest” (and youngest) Lafayette interpreter joining us in New Orleans and making his AFL annual meeting premiere. Roy Wulf has been a blessing to join and become the future of the AFL. Roy made his debut last September at Woodlawn Plantation during our final Bicentennial event in D.C. and portrays Lafayette at the age when he was ready to come to America to join General Washington in the cause for independence. If you weren’t in D.C., then you’re in for a real treat. And, Roy will be with us at our National World War II Museum “Kick-Off” event.
After Kick-off Social: UPDATE/CHANGE: The Royal Bar at our host hotel, the Omni Royal Orleans or alternate event TBA (possibly at world famous Pat O’Brien’s). TBA. Unfortunately, we were just informed by the Napoleon House a change in their summer hours of operation and will now close at 9 p.m. But, you are welcome to go there on your own during open times in our schedule to check out it’s history and order its famous house drink – a Pimm’s Cup. It’s located across the street from our hotel at 500 Chartres Street. For more fascinating history about the Napoleon House, go to: https://www.napoleonhouse.com/history/
The new Royal Bar in our host hotel, the Omni Royal Orleans.
Friday, June 12th
Morning (9:00 AM): The CHALMETTE NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD
GPS Address: 1 Battlefield Rd., Chalmette, LA 70043
NOTE: at 8:30 a.m. we will meet in the hotel lobby and walk the 3 blocks to board the motorcoaches at the Natchez dock (GPS Address: 400 Toulouse Street, New Orleans, LA 70130). We will then depart at 9:00 a.m. and travel 15 minutes to tour the national battlefield where Lafayette arrived in Louisiana on April 10, 1825 on his Guest of the Nation tour. Just ten years earlier, this was the site of the Battle of New Orleans, where General Andrew Jackson led a small army of regulars and civilians (along with a few pirates) and defeated a considerably larger British army. Many war historians call this the most lopsided upset in military history – and was the final battle of the War of 1812, securing American independence once and for all. At our Bicentennial event last April at the battlefield, we did not actually get to spend much time at the battlefield to enjoy it’s stations, seeing the visitor’s center or Beauregard House where Lafayette was actually received. This time we will! It’s summer in New Orleans – dress casual & comfortably – especially comfy shoes. For more information on the historic Chalmette Battlefield, go to: https://www.nps.gov/jela/planyourvisit/chalmette-battlefield.htm
Lunch (11:30 a.m.): At historic Docville Farm in Meraux, Louisiana – just a few minutes from the battlefield. While enjoying a lunch buffet from one of Chalmette’s famous eateries, Rocky’s & Carlo’s, we will have the pleasure of a presentation by Louisiana historian Robert “Bob” Freeland with the Friends of the Cabildo. For those who were with us last year for our bicentennial event, you might recall Bob’s expertise is on Louisiana’s Spanish Governor Bernardo de Gálvez, along with other Spanish governors and Spain’s contribution to the American Revolution, and making possible the Louisiana Purchase. Bob will entertain us with his historical perspective – and might have something to add about the role Spain played helping Lafayette sneak out of France in April 1777.
Also, from its fifth floor observation deck, you will have a fabulous view of the Mississippi River. You will be shown the location where Lafayette, on the steamboat Natchez, moored his first night in Louisiana on the evening of April 9, 1825, before heading up river the next day to be welcomed at the Chalmette Battlefield. To learn more about our lunch location, go to: https://www.merauxfoundation.org/docville
GPS Address for Docville: 5124 E Street, E St Bernard Hwy, Violet, LA 70092
Afternoon (Optional): At the Cabildo (Louisiana State Museum), a tour of the “Bienvenue Lafayette” exhibit about our favorite French general and its new exhibit on Bernardo de Gálvez, Spain’s governor of Louisiana who significantly helped the American cause. Our lunch lecturer, Bob Freeland, has offered to serve as our “docent” for the exhibits. Or, you can use this time to enjoy the French Quarter and New Orleans on your own! AFL members will be offered a special discount to the Cabildo exhibits. The cost for this should be right at $10 per person (if not a little less), unless we’d like Bob Freeland as a docent for the exhibits – which might cost a few dollars more. MORE INFO to come on this soon!
GPS Address for the Cabildo: 701 Chartres St., New Orleans, LA 70130
Evening (6:30 PM): “The LAFAYETTE BANQUET: CELEBRATING AMERICA 250 with LAFAYETTE and JEFFERSON
and featuring Dr. Iris de Rode, Keynote Speaker
(6:30 p.m. – Pre-Banquet Social / 7:00 p.m. Banquet begins) The official dinner and banquet of the AFL’s Annual Meeting is in the elegant Grand Ballroom of our host hotel, the Omni Royal Orleans. We will enjoy have choices from a buffet featuring New Orleans flavors. Besides having our favorite French general with us, the evening’s program will include two very special guests. We are also thrilled to have with us as our keynote speaker, Franco-American Relations & Lafayette historian, Dr. Iris de Rode, who was prominently featured in Ken Burns’ recent documentary “The American Revolution.” BUT, that’s not all. We are honored to have with us the author of the Declaration of Independence and third President of the United States, Thomas Jefferson. He will share stories of people, events, and ideals of our nation’s early years. And, surely, Jefferson and Lafayette will reminisce of their time together in Paris. THIS IS NOT TO MISSED!
DRESS: Business or Colonial period attire. For Business: coat and tie for men; cocktail attire for ladies. Regency period attire is acceptable for gentlemen and ladies.
GPS Address for the Omni Royal Orleans Hotel: 621 St. Louis Street, New Orleans, LA 70130
Post-Banquet Social Event: Immediately following our banquet, we will gather for a post-banquet “social” for some wonderful comradery and fun (like Lafayette Trivia with prizes to win!). This will take place either at the hotel’s rooftop La Riviera poolside bar (with a great view of the New Orleans skyline) OR we will remain in the ballroom after the banquet. The rooftop bar is currently under renovation, so it will all come down to whether or not the construction is completed in time. MORE TO COME on this. But, you don’t want to miss out on testing your knowledge of our favorite French general!
Saturday, June 13th 
Morning (9:30 AM): AFL Annual Business Meeting (GPS Address: 410 Chartres St., New Orleans, LA 70130 / 1 block from hotel) DRESS: Casual Summer
We are honored to have as our host for our Annual Meeting, the Historic New Orleans Collection (HNOC) in the French Quarter (which serves as a historical archive of the city of New Orleans). Our meeting will take place at its beautiful Williams Research Center and Library on Chartres Street. For more information on the host and location of our meeting, go to: https://hnoc.org/research-collections/williams-research-center
Lunch (approx. 11:30 a.m.): Following our Business Meeting, a delicious box lunch from The St. James Cheese Company (voted one of New Orleans’ best), known for their gourmet sandwiches, will be brought in to us at the Williams Research Center and Library. You will have a variety to choose from – soon you will be contacted for your menu choice. While having lunch, we will be treated to a special presentation by the HNOC’s Chief Curator, Jason Wiese, who will tell us about their new “immersive” exhibit “The American Revolution” – part of their America 250 celebration. Of course, our favorite French general will be part of that topic. For more information on lunch menu choices at St. James, go to: https://stjamescheese.com/products/boxed-lunches
Afternoon (1:00 PM): EXCLUSIVE TOUR of the HNOC’s new exhibit “The American Revolution”
GPS Address: 520 Royal St., New Orleans, LA 70130 (1/2 block from hotel)
Immediately after lunch, AFL members and our special guests will be the ONLY ones permitted to see the exhibit during this time. The general public will not be admitted. The award-winning technology for this “immersive” exhibit is like that of the incredible Notre Dame Cathedral exhibit that toured the world. DRESS: Casual Summer. For more information on this exclusive exhibit, go to: https://hnoc.org/exhibitions/american-revolution
Evening (6:00 PM): “DINNER WITH LAFAYETTE AND WASHINGTON”
Antoine’s Restaurant / GPS Address: 713 St. Louis Street / 1 block walk from hotel
At 6:00 p.m. we will gather at world famous Antoine’s Restaurant to socialize / dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. Antoine’s is the oldest continuously operating fine dining restaurant in the U.S. (since 1840). You will have the opportunity to enjoy New Orleans’s finest cuisine with choices that go back to Antoine’s original 1840 menu (and look for an email soon when you be asked to choose your menu selection). We will be treated to presentations by General Lafayette and a very special guest – the “father of our nation,” George Washington – visiting us straight from Mount Vernon. Come hear Lafayette and Washington talk about the importance of the American cause for independence and reminisce of their experiences together, as well as the meaning of their close relationship. NEWLY ADDED SPEAKER: Ted Hart, author of “Vineyards to Victory” will present to us! For more information on Antoine’s, go to: https://antoines.com/
DRESS: Nice casual or casual business – no jeans or t-shirts; for men, collared shirt with or without sports coat. Period attire is acceptable.
* * * JUST ADDED: Ted Hart, author of “Vineyards to Victory” will be presenting to us!!!
BUT WAIT! . . . THERE’S MORE! Thomas Jefferson will be joining us at Antoine’s AND the After-Dinner Social at the historic Hermann-Grima House! (see below)
HOW CAN YOU NOT ATTEND THIS???
Lafayette, Washington and Jefferson – Together Again – 3 Founders on one stage!
* * * THIS IS AN AFL FIRST! * DO NOT MISS THIS! * * *
After-Dinner Social (8:30 PM): (7:30 p.m. if you’re not having dinner at Antoine’s)
An evening at the historic Hermann-Grima House (GPS Address: 820 St. Louis Street, New Orleans, LA 70112 / 1 block walk from Antoine’s Restaurant)
Built around the time of Lafayette’s visit to New Orleans, this beautiful home boasts one of New Orleans’ largest and most beautiful patio courtyards. Our friends at Hermann-Grima are opening the house after hours to host this social just for us! There will be a cash bar. Just a one block walk from Antoine’s restaurant, come and enjoy what an old-fashioned New Orleans social would have been like during the time of General Lafayette’s visit in 1825 and enjoy seeing the Hermann-Grima home. Of course, Lafayette, Washington AND Jefferson will be with us – and we’ve been told even Louisiana’s Spanish Governor Bernardo de Gálvez might be joining us! For more information on the Hermann-Grima House, go to: https://hgghh.org
DRESS: Nice casual or casual business – no jeans or t-shirts; for men, collared shirt with or without sports coat. Period attire acceptable.
Lafayette interpreter: Ben Goldman 
As a lifetime member of the AFL, Ben has been a well-known favorite to AFL members for many years, having portrayed the Marquis de Lafayette since 2007. He was our Lafayette at countless events during the Farewell Tour Bicentennial year and has been Lafayette at numerous events at national parks and at the White House. For those who might not know, Ben is the residential Lafayette for George Washington’s Mount Vernon and we could not be happier to have him with us in June. A native of Philadelphia, he now resides in Washington, D.C. with his wife Liz and their twin son and daughter.
Thomas Jefferson interpreter: J.D. Sutton 
Raised in the historic Germantown section of Philadelphia, and grew up with an abiding interest in the people and events of our nation’s early years, J.D. Sutton has made it his life’s passion to bring Jefferson to life, inviting you to experience “an intimate encounter with the man who defined American independence.” His solo play about Thomas Jefferson, Twilight at Monticello, has been presented off- Broadway and at venues throughout “the original 13”, including Philadelphia’s historic Carpenters’ Hall. Many have described him as the living embodiment of Jefferson. Sit back and feel as if you have stepped back into time with Jefferson himself. Mr. Sutton and his wife, Amy, now call beautiful Orlando, Florida home. To learn more (and watch videos) about J.D. Sutton and his “Jefferson experience” go to: https://encounterthomasjefferson.com/
and https://encounterthomasjefferson.com/videos
George Washington interpreter: Daniel Cross 
With a career in historical interpretation for the past 28 years, Daniel Cross came into prominence in 2019 portraying Col. George Washington as a “Nation Builder” at Colonial Williamsburg – and his star quickly rose. With an eye to historic accuracy, and a dedication to research and the human story, Daniel does not shy away from any aspect of Washington’s life – interpreting Washington’s life and history from his days as a young British officer through the American Revolution, his presidency and more. Today, Daniel is at Mount Vernon, and not only portrays Washington, but also directs its new “Patriots Path: A Revolutionary War Encampment,” modeled after what you might have experienced at Yorktown’s American Revolution Museum and Colonial Williamsburg. Daniel has portrayed Washington on stage and in film for the Carlisle Historic Society, the York County History Center, the Fairfax 250th Commission, The American Village, and productions with National Geographic and PBS – just to name a few. As Mount Vernon veterans, Daniel and Ben have worked many times together as their historical counterparts. But, this will be the first time Daniel is joining us for an AFL event and we are thrilled to have him.
WE’RE NOT DONE YET!!! THERE’S MORE! (Keep Scrolling)
Sunday, June 14th
Morning (9:00 AM): A “Farewell Breakfast” – New Orleans style!
Court of the Two Sisters / GPS Address: 613 Royal Street, New Orleans, LA 70130 (1.5 block walk from our hotel)
(NOTE: we will meet in the hotel lobby at 8:30 a.m. for those who wish to walk together to the breakfast)
We say “adieu” to the 2026 Annual Meeting and the Crescent City in grand fashion at the Court of The Two Sisters, featuring an all-you-can eat brunch buffet and a jazz quartet. Come and enjoy what has been called “the Best Breakfast in New Orleans.” NOTE: the breakfast should easily end by 10:30 a.m. which should provide ample time for anyone who needs to catch a flight departing 12:15 p.m. or later (hopefully, the TSA issues will be over, but still keep that in mind). But, if you’re not in a hurry, then feel free to remain for as long as you like to enjoy the atmosphere and the live jazz music – and have more to eat! For more information on the Court of the Two Sisters, go to: https://www.courtoftwosisters.com/
DRESS: Casual
* * * OUR SPECIAL GIFT TO YOU FOR COMING! * * *
2026 AFL Annual Meeting Commemorative Lapel Pin
YOU KNOW YOU WANT IT! Not only our official logo for the 2026 Annual Meeting, but this is our beautiful Commemorative Lapel Pin (with a locking clutch backing), specially made for our meeting and our special gift to every attendee. It’s 1.50″ in size, in an enamel cloisonné finish – and THE ONLY WAY TO GET IT is to come to New Orleans! (Attendees will have an opportunity to purchase additional pins)
* * YOU GET ALL OF THE ABOVE FOR ONLY $489 * *
It’s going to be EPIC and AMAZING!!! (as Chuck Schwam would say!)
REGISTER HERE NOW: https://www.friendsoflafayette.org/event-6571663/Registration
Come to New Orleans in June and “Laissez les bons temps roule” (Let the good times roll!)
Lafayette is ready . . . are you? Merci beaucoup and au revoir for now!
Check back regularly for more updates!
Contact John Scurich with any questions or requests at (504) 722-6662 or email at: AFL.Louisiana@gmail.com