Oct. 21, 2000,

LaFayette was again welcomed to Milledgeville, personified by Dr. Preston

Russell of Savannah, as the gothic style Capitol building was rededicated

after a $10 million restoration. Residents of Fayette County, named for

LaFayette, were present.

The restoration

was spearheaded by Gen. Peter Broylan, the dynamic president of Georgia

Military College, and was completed over a two-year period. The building

houses classrooms, GMC administrative offices, a museum of the history

of Milledgeville as the capital city of Georgia, and the restored Legislative

Chambers of the Georgia Assembly from 1807 - 1868.

Attending the

day of rededication activities were staff members from the Union City

campus of GMC who are all residents of Fayette County, LaFayette's namesake

county. They included Debbie Condon, Ben Condon, Jim Price, Cindy Price

and Janet Mack.

The reenactment

of LaFayette's 1825 visit included a parade from the Oconee River front

where he landed to the doors of the Capitol building in a horse-drawn

carriage, speeches by dignitaries including Gov. Roy Barnes, a barbecue

on the lawn, an afternoon of music and games and the evening ball.

GMC is a two-year

college with off campus locations throughout Georgia, including both Union

City and Ft. McPherson campuses in the Atlanta area. Morning, evening

and weekend classes offer working students the opportunity to gain a two-year

associate science degree in a number of disciplines.