Civil War Events Guide: Prince William

Civil War Trials: Walking Tour of Old Town Manassas at The Manassas Museum

April 10 @ 2 pm. Tour Old Town Manassas, and see the importance of the railroad junction to both the Confederate and Union military forces. Also, see how the railroad junction played a part in military strategies and fort locations. Tours will be given by guides dressed in Civil War-era clothing. / The Manassas Museum, 9101 Prince William St., Manassas; 703-368-1873; www.visitmasassas.org; $15.

Civil War Education Day at Henry Hill

April 14 from 10 am-2 pm. Come and learn the ways of the Civil War. military and civilian demonstrations will be presented about life during the Civil War era. The experiences and trials of a soldier’s experience will be presented Musketry and artillery firing will also take place. / Manassas National Battlefield Park, 6511 Sudley Road, Manassas; 703-361-1339; www.manassasbullrun.com; free.

Taking the Lead in Preserving Virginia’s Battlefields Conference at Manassas National Battlefield Park

April 18 & 19 from 2 pm-6 pm. Sponsored by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources and Prince William/Manassas Sesquicentennial Committee, this two day conference will explore the preservation of Virginia’s Battlefields. Experts will conduct panel discussions concerning tours and the preservation of specific battlefields. / Manassas National Battlefield Park, 6511 Sudley Road, Manassas; 703-361-1339; www.pwcgov.org; $100.

They Rode from Brentsville: Faces of the Prince William Calvary at The Manassas Museum

April 19 through June 26 @ 10 am. In preparation for the Bremtsville Sesquicentennial Civil War Weekend, The Manassas Museum will tell the story of the Prince William Calvary. This exhibit will feature genealogies, photographs and artifacts. Interactive activities for both adults and kids will take place. / The Manassas Museum, 9101 Prince William St., Manassas; 703-368-1873; www.visitmasassas.org; free.

Lecture Series-Keeping time at Old Manassas Court House

April 28 from 7-8pm. Join author and historian Art Candenquist for a lecture that will explore the standard of time during the Civil War era. Candenquist will present an informative talk on how time was in fact kept in 1861. / Old Manassas Courthouse, 9248 Lee Ave., Manassas; 703-367-7872; www.pwcgov.org; free.

Cavalry Ride from the Brentsville Courthouse to The Manassas Museum

April 30 @ 10 am. Come out and witness a debate, and watch as citizens of Brentsville present the Prince William Cavalry a new flag at the Brentsville Courthouse. Visitors are welcome to explore the camp, and watch as reenactments of soldiers leaving for war, and other military demonstrations take place. Then, at 3 pm, watch the Prince William Cavalry ride for The Manassas Museum. / The Manassas Museum, 9101 Prince William St., Manassas; 703-368-1873; www.pwcgov.org; free.

Manassas Gallery Walk at Old Town Manassas

May 6 from 6-8 pm. Hosted by the Old Town Merchants, local artists will display a season of new art. The wide array of art will feature Civil War locations, sites, themes and artifacts. / Old Town Manassas, Manassas; 703-361-6599; www.visitmanassas.org; free.

Potomac Blockade Boat Tour at Leesylvania State Park

May 7 from 10 am-6 pm. Guest are invited to take a cruise along the Potomac shore line, and view sites that played a crucial role to the 1861, Confederate forces’ blockade of Washington D.C. The tour will include Freestone Point, Possum Nose and Evansport. During the tour, local historians will comment on the importance of the blockade. Space for this event is limited, and reservations are preferred. / Leesylvania State Park, 2001 Daniel K Ludwig Drive, Woodbridge; 703-499-9812; www.pwcgove.org; $10.

Opening of the Pringle House Hospital Exhibit

May 20-22 from 10 am-5 pm. The Ben Lomond Historic Site has been newly transformed into the Pringle Hospital. The site served as a hospital after the battle of First Manassas in 1861. The newly refurbished exhibit documents the experiences of the Confederate soldiers, medical staff, and civilians that were involved in this particular hospital during the Civil War. / Ben Lomond Historic Site, 10321 Sudley Manor Road, Manassas; 703-367-7872; www.pwcgov.org; $5.

Tauck Civil War Event Tour

May 22-26, TBD. Ted Burns, documentary filmmaker, will be leading a tour of Manassas National Battlefield Park, Ben Lomond House, and the Historic Occoquan. This is a one-of-a-kind tour that will offer a point of view concerning the people caught in the midst of the war. Following the tour, Ted Burns will also be presented as the key-note speaker at the National Archives. Space is limited, and only 300 people will be able to partake in this tour. / For more information call 202-276-1303 or visit www.tauck.com.

Lecture Series: First Blood, Battle of Blackburn’s Ford at Old Manassas Courthouse

May 26 @ 7 pm. This lecture will focus on the Battle of Blackburn’s Ford, the battle that took place a few days before the actual Battle of First Manassas. The Battle of Blackburn’s Ford is considered one of the bloodiest days in American history, and was viewed as a victory by the Confederate troops. The bloody effects of this battle would later set the stage for the Battle of First Manassas. The speaker of this series is to be announced. / Old Manassas courthouse, 9248 Lee Ave., Manassas; 703-367-7872; www.pwcgov.org; free.

Luminaries on the Law at The Manassas Museum

May 28 @ 6pm. To commemorate the casualties of the Civil War, The Manassas Museum lawn will be lit by candlelight. This event will take place at dust. All are welcome to attend this emotional gathering and witness the luminescence of the lawn. / The Manassas Museum, 9101 Prince William St., Manassas; 703-368-1873; www.visitmasassas.org; free.

Memorial Day Observance at Groveton Confederate Cemetery

May 30 @ noon. In memory of the men who gave their lives, their will be a ceremony held at the Groveton Confederate Cemetery. Musketry and artillery salutes will be given, and the cemetery monuments will be decorated with state flowers and flags. / Manassas National Battlefield Park, 6511 Sudley Road, Manassas; 703-361-1339; www.pwcgov.org; free.

Manassas Heritage Railway Festival at The Manassas Museum

June 3-5 from 10 am-4 pm. Come and witness living historians from the Confederate and Union division. Demonstrations on war medicine, musket and artillery fire and camp life will be given. Take part in the free, outside activities taking place on the museum lawn. Activates include crafts for kids, music, model railroad displays, and tours of a historic, Civil War caboose. Guests will also be able to tour inside the museum. / The Manassas Museum, 9101 Prince William St., Manassas; 703-369-1873; www.pwcgov.org; $1.

Cannon Branch Fort Dedication

June 25, TBD. Military interpretations will take place at the Cannon Branch Fort. These interpretations will follow the dedication given by the City of Manassas. / The Manassas Museum, 9101 Prince William St., Manassas; 703-368-1873; www.visitmanassas.org; free.

United States Marines at first Manassas Lecture Series at Old Manassas Courthouse

June 30 @ 7 pm. Join Sergeant Thomas E. Williams of the United States Marine Corps Historical Company, as he explores the many details of the Battle of First Manassas. This lecture will explore how soldiers with limited training, from both the north and south, would experience combat for the first time. The repercussion of performance levels will also be explored. / Old Manassas Courthouse, 9248 Lee Ave., Manassas; 703-367-7872; www.pwcgov.org; free.

Basic Civil War Summer Camp at Ben Lomond Historic Site

July 11-15 from 9 am-noon. By participating in Basic Civil War Camp, kids will learn what it meant to have the life of a soldier during the Civil War. Activities will include “Enlist in Virginia’s Army,” “Life in Camp,” “Infantry Drill,” “Did Civil War Soldiers Really Eat that Stuff?” “Civil War Medicine” and a field trip to Manassas National Battlefield Park. / Ben Lomond Historic Site, 10321 Sudley Manor Road, Manassas; 703-367-7872; www.pwcgov.org; $90.

Virginia’s Civil War

Every Tuesday through Sept. 4 from 10 am-5 pm. Come interpret events from the Union, Confederate and African-American perspectives of the Civil War. This exhibition will take visitors to eight museums throughout Virginia. Visitors will gain a better understanding of both the social and cultural impact of the war. / The Manassas Museum, 9101 Prince William St., Manassas; 703-368-1873; www.visitmanassas.org; free.

Sesquicentennial Event

July 21 from 9 am-6 pm. Living history and hands-on demonstrations will be open to the public all day. Some events include a Civil War, 150 History Mobile and a Civil War 3-D photography exhibit. Special battlefield tours will be on-going, and a parade and music will take place in honor of the 1911 Peace Jubilee 100th Anniversary. / Old Town Manassas, Manassas; 703-361-6599; www.pwcgov.org; free.

Color in Freedom: Journey along the Underground Railroad at the Center for the Arts

July 21 from 10 am-5 pm. Artist Joseph Holston will show case his art, and bring a whole new perspective to the importance of the Underground Railroad. Holston has created a new twist, and brought the journey of the Underground Railroad to life in a new way. Come experience the magic for yourself. / Center for the Arts, 9419 Battle St., Manassas; 703-330-2787; center-for-the-arts.org; free.

July 21 @ 8 pm. The Castleton Festival at the Hylton presents a concert of American music commemorating the First Battle of Manassas (Bull Run). Opera star and Washington, D.C. native Denyce Graves, renowned for her interpretations of Carmen and Delilah, joins Maestro Lorin Maazel and the Castleton Festival Orchestra in an evening of great American music by Stephen Foster, Aaron Copland, George Gershwin and more. / Merchant Hall, Hylton Performing Arts Center, Manassas; 888-945-2468; www.hyltoncenter.org; $30, $45, $60

Civil War Military Parade in Old Town

July 22 @ 10 am. In preparation for the battle reenactments the following day, Civil War re-enactors everywhere are invited to camp in Manassas at several different historical battle sites. This will be in commemoration of the First Battle of Manassas. A military parade through the streets of Manassas will take place as well. / Old Town Manassas, Manassas; 703-361-6599; www.visitmanassas.org; free.

Battle Reenactment in Old Town Manassas

July 22 @ 2 pm. The re-enactment community will present a skirmish of a battle that took place in Yorkshire, the day before the First Manassas Battle. Union and Confederate troops will battle it out in this exciting re-enactment. / Old Town Manassas, Manassas; 703-361-6599; www.visitmanassas.org; free.

150th Anniversary of First Manassas

July 22-24 from 10 am-4 pm. Recently named a top event for 2011 by The American Bus Association, this year’s 150th celebration will not disappoint. There will be a wide array of events surrounding this commemoration. A planned re-enactment of the First Battle of Manassas will shine as the main event. This two-day re-enactment will involve 14,000 re-enactors. Also, special ranger tours of the battlefields will be given, along with living history demonstrations. Guest can expect musket and artillery firing, solider life encampment demonstrations, book signings, lectures and children’s activities. This event is on-going, and will reveal the ways of the Civil War in a celebratory way. / Manassas National Battlefield Park, 6511 Sudley Road, Manassas; 703-361-1339; www.pwcgov.org; $20.

Civil War Baseball Game at Jennie Dean Elementary School

July 23 @ 2 pm. Come out and enjoy a game of baseball in Old Town Manassas. America’s favorite pastime, baseball played a crucial role in alleviating the many troubles of war. When American was in the midst of the Civil War, baseball emerged as a time of enjoyment and happiness for both the Union and Confederate troops. / Jennie Dean Elementary School, 9601 Prince William St., Manassas; 703-361-6599; www.visitmanassas.org; free.

Twilight Manassas City Cemetery Tour

July 23 @ 8 pm. Dare to take a evening tour of a Confederate gravesite. Interpreters dressed in Civil war attire, will guide guests through the City Cemetery and make specific notice of confederate grave sites as well as a Union Medal of Honor recipient. This is a ticketed event, and reservations must be made to reserve a spot on the tour. / City Cemetery, 9027 Center St., Manassas, 703-368-1873; www.pwcgov.org; free.

Sesquicentennial Blue and Gray Ball at the Liberia Mansion

July 23 @ 8 pm. Come dressed in your best Civil war attire, and dance the night away to the sounds of Civil War-era music. Food and drinks will be served under a starry sky, and guests will celebrate in style before the Battle of First Manassas. / Liberia Mansion, 8601 Portner Ave., Manassas 703-368-1873; www.pwcgov.org; $20.

Advanced Civil War Summer Camp

Aug. 22-25 from 9 am-noon. Kids can build on what they have learned about the Civil War by attending Advance Civil War Camp. All who participate will go through drills, learn artillery drills, explore the responsibilities of an officer, spend a day with General Robert E. Lee and take a field trip to Manassas National Battlefield Park. All children must have previously attended Basic Civil War Sumer Camp to participate. / Ben Lomond Historic Site, 10321 Sudley Manor Road, Manassas; 703-367-7872; www.pwcgov.org; $110.

149th Anniversary of Second Manassas at Manassas national Battlefield Park

Aug. 27-28 from 10 am-4 pm. “Manassas’s Own” artillery and infantry troops will represent the Union and Confederate soldiers in this special re-enactment. Special tours of the battlefields will be given, cavalry demonstrations, living history stories, artillery firing, and music will all take place. The events will be on-going, and there will be something for everyone to enjoy. / Manassas National Battlefield park, 6511 Sudley Road, Manassas; 703-361-1339; www.pwcgov.org; free.

Tour to Highlight Civil War Manassas

Sept. 11 @ 2 pm. Sponsored by the Manassas Museum, this tour will offer a walking narrative of what the city looked like at the time of the Civil War. The tour will focus on certain earthwork construction, the railroad for military purposes, military life, store raids and preserved landscapes. Be prepared to relive the stories and destruction that the area was forced to endure. Advanced tickets for this event are required. / The Manassas Museum, 9101 Prince William St., Manassas; 703-368-1873; www.visitmanassas.org; $15.

Anniversary of the Potomac River Blockade 1861 at Freestone Point

Sept. 24-25 from 10 am-4 pm. Come to the preserved site of the Confederate Gun Battery, and join with local historians as they camp at Freestone Point. Learn what took place at the time of the blockade, and see demonstrations of camp life, soldier life and artillery. The overall living atmosphere in the camps, at that time, will be recognized. Also, historians will explain the details of the blockade situation. / Leesylvania State Park; 2011 Daniel K Ludwig Drive, Woodbridge; 703-730-8205; www.pwcgov.org; free.

Civil War Santa Visits at Ben Lomond Historic Site

Dec 10-11 from 11 am-4 pm. Santa Clause is coming to town, Ben Lomond to be exact. See Santa’s house decorated in a true Victorian style, courtesy of the Prince William County Garden Council. Guests will be able to make Civil War decorations to take home. / Ben Lomond Historic Site, 10321 Sudley Manor Road, Manassas; 703-367-7872; www.pwcgov.org; $5.

A Civil War Christmas at Leesylvania State Park

Dec 17-18 from 11 am-3 pm. The Park’s Visitor Center will be hosting Santa. Guests are welcome to partake in some light snacks while helping decorate the park’s Christmas tree. Also, guests will be able to make take-home decorations of their own. / Leesylvania State Park, 2001 Daniel K Ludwig Drive, Woodbridge; 703-730-8205; www.pwcgov.org; $5.

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