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Bicentennial
In 2025, Lafayette, Indiana, celebrated its 200th birthday with a year-long bicentennial celebration filled with events for all ages from January to December! Events included a January celebration of our founder William Digby’s birthday, followed by monthly activities that highlighted Lafayette’s rich history, including school events, historic tours, and art showcases. For a complete timeline of Lafayette’s history, click here.
Founded on May 25, 1825, the City commemorated this milestone with family-friendly events at Columbian Park over Memorial Day weekend. The community enjoyed afternoon teas and special gatherings at historic sites like the Haan Museum, Duncan Hall, and Fowler Mansion, where stories of the people and places that shaped Lafayette came to life.
The celebration continued in July with a film festival honoring Lafayette native and Oscar-winning director Sydney Pollack. The year wrapped up with a fall harvest corn maze, the annual Feast of the Hunter’s Moon, and the annual Lafayette Christmas Parade, which celebrated our community’s past, present, and future.
2025 was a year well-spent honoring Lafayette’s 200 years of history, community, and culture!
Yet to come is the unveiling of a commissioned bicentennial public art piece.
Bicentennial Sculpture
On the Banks of the Wabash - Celebrating Lafayette's Bicentennial
Click on the image below for more information!
The sinuous art piece, inspired by the Wabash River, depicts a current flowing from the City’s past into its surging future. Donate today to make possible this permanent, soaring outdoor showpiece. On the Banks of the Wabash celebrates the City of Lafayette’s 200th year in 2025. The public art piece commissioned by the City will be installed and dedicated in late fall of 2025, on the grassy knoll at the corner of Ninth and South Streets, a prominent thoroughfare.
Contact Dennis Carson for donation enquiries and information
City of Lafayette Logos
Click HERE to download your copies!
Originally known as the Star City, we honor that heritage with a prominent star symbol. The colors around the star represent key elements of our history: green for the verdant prairies of Indiana, purple for native wildflowers, yellow for maize—a staple of our agricultural roots, blue for the cherished skies above, and red for the hardships and sacrifices of our founders and settlers. Each color tells the story of our community’s journey and resilience.
The Tippecanoe County Historical Association (TCHA) is excited to launch a new travelling exhibit program for the Bicentennial of Lafayette.
Sponsored by the City of Lafayette, ten travelling exhibit panels will showcase different stories in Lafayette's history including the founding of Lafayette, Columbian Park, and the Wabash and Erie Canal. Each panel is designed to stand alone or could be displayed together with any of the others. Organizations, including libraries, schools and businesses, may borrow one or more exhibit panels at a time for two weeks or more pending availability. Exhibit panels are available to borrow at no cost on a first-come, first-served basis.
"During our city's bicentennial year, we have a unique opportunity to celebrate Lafayette's rich history," shared Mayor Tony Roswarski. "These pop-up displays from TCHA offer a fascinating glimpse into our past, and I encourage schools, libraries, and organizations to schedule the, for their use. By sharing these stories, we not only honor our heritage, but inspire the next generation to carry our legacy forward."
As we enter 2026, the travelling exhibit panels are still available to reserve. To learn more about the topics covered or request them to be exhibited at your organization, please contact Kelly Lippie, Curator of Collections, at (765) 479-8411 ext. 3 or curator@tippecanoehistory.org
Featured Merchandise for Sale
In honor of the bicentennial, a range of products will be available for purchase, featuring a special bicentennial logo. Local businesses have come forward to create unique products and experiences that celebrate the city’s past and present. These products were available for sale throughout the year, offering residents and visitors an opportunity to take home a piece of the celebration. Some merchandise may still be available following the Bicentennial year, please inquire through vendors and businesses directly.
Celebrate Lafayette's Bicentennial with Wildcat Creek Winery's Bicentennial Blueberry! Made with 100% American blueberries, this celebratory wine offers a balance of sweetness and tartness, with flavors and aromas reminiscent of freshly picked blueberries. Perfect for commemorative toasts and festive gatherings, this wine serves as a toast to the city's rich history and bright future. Purchase the wine at the winery or order it online through Wildcat Creek Winery's website at wildcatcreeekwinery.com | |
Commemorate the City of Lafayette's 200th anniversary with a special ornament sold exclusively by the Tippecanoe County Historical Association! These beautiful, commemorative holiday ornaments are just $20.00 each and can be purchased at the Frank C. Arganbright Genealogy Center, 1001 South Street. All proceeds benefit the Tippecanoe County Historical Association. | |
| Celebrate Lafayette’s 200th anniversary with a limited-edition keepsake: the 2025 Lafayette Bicentennial Medal. Crafted in 1 troy ounce of .999 fine silver, this commemorative medal honors our city’s history with a meaningful design featured on both front and back. Only 500 medals were minted, and each comes with an information card explaining the medal’s design and symbolism. All profits from medal sales benefit the local General de Lafayette Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). SOLD OUT | |
🍦 Say hello to Heritage Chip—Lafayette’s very own ice cream flavor! 🎉 Every's Ice Cream, located at 840 Main Street in downtown Lafayette, is proud to celebrate the spirit of our city with a custom creation that’s as rich in meaning as it is in flavor: ✨ French vanilla – a nod to our French heritage Come cool off and taste the flavor made just for Lafayette—available now and all summer long at Every’s Ice Cream! | |
Beyond Gallery & Gift Shop: A Scented & Sketch-Filled Salute to 200 Years As part of the Lafayette Bicentennial celebration, Beyond Gallery & Gift Shop is showcasing a thoughtfully curated display that honors the city's rich history with locally inspired charm. This featured collaboration brings together artistry, craftsmanship, and a love for Lafayette in a collection of keepsakes and gifts—all proudly made in the USA. The display includes limited edition Bicentennial candles from Flora Candle Co, specially created for this milestone year, along with a series of exclusive Bicentennial items created or commissioned by Beyond Gallery. Featured pieces include a round Bicentennial logo magnet, a beautifully detailed courthouse sketch magnet, a handcrafted matchbox miniature shadow box featuring a whimsical Lafayette scene, and a set of courthouse postcards and notecards showcasing a sketch by local artist John Collier. Stop by to experience this unique blend of sight, scent, and sentiment—celebrating Lafayette’s past while supporting local creativity. | |
🎉 Bicentennial Gear Now Available! 🎉 Proudly brought to you by Freckles Graphics, you can now gear up with official #Lafayette200 merchandise! Show your bicentennial pride in style, and be sure to check back for new items coming soon! 🛍️ Shop now: https://www.launcheforce.com/shop/lafayette-bicentennial-store/ | |
Celebrate Lafayette, Indiana’s Bicentennial with a taste of history! Inspired by a recipe dating back to 1784, when Mary Ball Washington baked gingerbread for the Marquis de Lafayette, this beloved treat has stood the test of time. Now, you can enjoy a modern twist on this historic favorite! Lafayette Gingerbread is available in three delicious forms: -Cupcakes – Marshmallow caramel filling, a touch of Kentucky whiskey, topped with vanilla buttercream & a mini molasses ginger cookie Available for purchase throughout the Bicentennial year, these special treats are the perfect way to honor Lafayette’s rich heritage. Order yours today and bring home a taste of history! Can be ordered via hotplate.com/snicklesnacks or by direct messaging Muna Oto snicklesbakery@gmail.com | |
| Rubia Flower Market has created a bouquet celebrating Lafayette's Bicentennial! The colors featured celebrate key elements of Lafayette's history: Green for the verdant prairies of Indiana, purple for native wildflowers, yellow for maize—a staple of our agricultural roots, blue for the cherished skies above, and red for the hardships and sacrifices of our founders and settlers. When possible, we will substitute locally-grown flowers in the same colors to celebrate and support our local agricultural community. Order yours today! Bicentennial Bouquet | |
| Flora Candle Company presents their commemorative candle collection! ⭐️ Heritage ⭐️ ⭐️ Legacy ⭐️ Available NOW! Contact Flora Candle Co on Facebook | |
| Te'Aqua Custom Blended Teas is proud to celebrate the 200th Anniversary of the founding of beautiful Lafayette, Indiana. We are a part of a select number of local businesses who will be offering special products designed (or in our case, blended) to celebrate this grand occasion. We are releasing four fun, new, and historical blends. Our first set of blends are: *Apple Orchard - a blend to celebrate the historical Apple Orchard of Lafayette. *Digby's Delight - a blend that pays homage to the founder of Lafayette, William Digby. *Marquis de Lafayette - a blend named in honor of the man whom William Digby named the city of Lafayette after. *Wabash Winddown - an herbal blend that pays tribute to the mighty river which so delighted our founders. Contact TeAqua on Facebook or visit teaqua.us for more information | |
Don't miss Antique Candle Co.'s Bicentennial candle collection!
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Extras
Celebrating 75 years of LSO and 200 years of Lafayette!
The Lafayette Symphony Orchestra kicked off their 75th anniversary season with "The Star City," on Saturday, November 8, featuring a special guest narration by Mayor Tony Roswarski. Check it out:
A Love Letter to Lafayette from Vinton Elementary
We see you, Vinton Elementary! 👀❤️ This heartfelt love letter to Lafayette for our Bicentennial shows that you truly understood the assignment! 📜✨ We’re so happy these children are making memories to share throughout the ages! 💙
History within history! Take a peek at how our community celebrated fifty years ago by viewing the Journal & Courier Sesquicentennial Insert June 27, 1975 --> /DocumentCenter/View/14726