About Presented by Dr. Gaila Sims of the Fredericksburg Area Museum. In 1824 and 1825, the Marquis de Lafayette visited the city of Fredericksburg as part of his multiyear Grand Tour of the United States. Lafayette was an extraordinary individual who made essential contributions to American history as a wealthy nobleman, revolutionary hero, military officer, enlightenment thinker, democratic supporter, and committed abolitionist. Lafayette’s World: Revolutionary Ideals and the Limits of Freedom celebrates the Marquis as an individual and the belief in freedom and democracy shared by those he fought alongside in the American Revolution. Dr. Gaila Sims is the Curator of African American History and Special Projects at the Fredericksburg Area Museum. She is responsible for the development of exhibitions, interpretation, and programming related to African American History.