Major Exhibition Explores How a Young Nation Took Inspiration from a Champion of Freedom and Independence. The New-York Historical Society will shine a spotlight on one of America's first national heroes, the Marquis de Lafayette "Revolutionary War general, 'adopted son' of George Washington, diplomat and international champion of individual liberty“ whose name is all around us, but whose legacy is unknown to most Americans, in its new exhibition, French Founding Father: Lafayette's Return to Washington's America, opening Friday, November 16 and running through August 10, 2008, at the New-York Historical Society (Central Park West and 77th Street.)