Historical places in Prince William County and Manassas

Return to the Discover Guide / Potomac News
Published: July 31, 2008

Visitors to the county and Manassas can discover the timeless stories of courage, loss and determination of the Civil War at the Manassas National Battlefield Park. Preserved to retain its wartime character, the stunning, rolling hills and verdant vistas at the battlefield almost seem to belie the ground’s consecrated nature.

Visitors can hike on paths forged by soldiers in the two battles of Manassas and retrace the path of Gen. Thomas Jackson, who earned his nickname “Stonewall” by courageously standing his ground there. At the visitors center, tourists can view the dramatic Hollywood film “Manassas: End of Innocence,” which details the two battles through the eyes of soldiers and nearby residents.

Civil War buffs will also want to visit the Manassas area’s two earthen forts, Cannon Branch and Signal Hill, as well as the Ben Lomond Manor House, a Civil War-era hospital where soldiers scrawled their names and messages on the home’s walls.

The Confederate Cemetery in Manassas stands as testament to the many Southern soldiers who died in the two battles of Manassas.

At the Manassas Museum, the history of the region is traced from the region’s railway roots, through the Civil War, Reconstruction and beyond. At the Southern Railway Depot in Manassas and the Manassas Tourist Information Center, visitors can explore railway exhibits and receive travel advice and assistance from the travel counselors on location.

At Leesylvania State Park, visitors can hike to the hilltop homesite of Revolutionary War hero Gen. Henry “Light Horse Harry” Lee. All that remains of the home is a large brick chimney, but visitors can imagine the Lee plantation there with its spectacular view of the glistening Potomac River below.

For Colonial and Revolutionary War attractions, visitors can explore the region’s prominence at the Weems-Botts Museum in historic Dumfries. At this museum they can learn about the house’s past inhabitants, including Parson Mason Weems (George Washington’s biographer) and Benjamin B. Botts (Aaron Burr’s defense attorney).

In historic Occoquan, the history of the former mill town can be discovered at the Mill House Museum.

Brentsville Historic Center offers a unique peek at post-Revolutionary life. A courthouse, jail and schoolhouse stand in proximity, and visitors can stroll the grounds of Brentsville where soldiers gathered to sign up for service in the Civil War.

The Jennie Dean Industrial School was ravaged by fire, but an outline of the building and a model of the campus, as well as historical markers and interpretation, stand at the site.

Visitors can also view the site of the Manassas National Jubilee of Peace, where in 1911 veterans of the Civil War gathered at the Manassas Courthouse to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the First Battle of Manassas and pledged to foster a national spirit of peace and reconciliation.

At Quantico National Cemetery in Triangle, visitors can walk past rows of tombstones, the final resting places for many of America’s war veterans. A flag-lined pathway provides opportunities for reflection and remembrance.

The Freedom Museum in Manassas honors America’s service in foreign conflicts during the 20th century. Large exhibits of vintage ephemera and artifacts, including exclusive Vietnam War photographs and an outdoor military vehicle collection, provide a unique and memorable display of America’s military.

Liberia House, a prominent residence and general’s headquarters during the Civil War, and Rippon Lodge, the plantation home of Col. Richard Blackburn, are open for special events. Civil War trail markers are on display throughout the county.

The National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle recalls the long history of the Marines.

Haymarket Museum chronicles the history of a small, 19th town and its surrounding agricultural community.

For more information on the history of the area and the sites, call the Prince William County/Manassas Convention & Visitors Bureau at 800-432-1792.