NewsChat: Burning rail car, bourbon tastings popular events at Manassas Museum

Elizabeth Via-Gossman is the director of the Manassas Museum System. At the center of the organization is the Manassas Museum in Downtown Manassas.

Through its many exhibits, the museum tells the story of the railroad city from its early beginnings during the Civil War up until today. We wanted to learn more about the inner workings of the Manassas Museum and Via-Grossman took some time out of her day to answer some of our questions.

PL: What makes your museum unique to our community? What special exhibits do you feature, and why do you think your museum has become a favorite of those who visit you? Please also mention who is a typical visitor at your museum.

Via-Gossman: We are fortunate to be the stewards of seven historic sites as well as our museum and lawn, which are central to Historic Downtown Manassas. We are able to share a vast collection of artifacts with visitors, and to share our love of history with visitors of all ages. We are aware of the serious responsibility we have to preserve our area’s history, to educate new generations, and to provide citizens and visitors with a rich cultural and recreational resource. We love when visitors of all ages leave learning something they never knew before.

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PL: What challenges has your museum faced over the years, from getting out the word about your organization, to securing and maintaining funding? How did you overcome them?

Via-Gossman: Like any museum, we have to find diverse ways to let area residents and visitors know about all exhibits, programs, and sites. The way people get their information has changed so much from the days when everyone read a local newspaper. Now many of our visitors love to get our postcards, some like emails, and some rely on our website, signs, and area calendars. We’re always delighted when we have first-time visitors who have lived here but have not known about the museum, Liberia or other historic sites.

Through the years, we have been fortunate to secure many private donations and grants that have helped enhance such things as exhibits, programs and restoration at Liberia. We appreciate that The Manassas Museum Associates, our fund-raising arm, has been a steady source of support for all our efforts, and as a city-funded museum, we are continually grateful for the support of our city government and our citizens.

PL: Has your museum put our area “on the map” of cultural and community significance?  Please discuss some of the unique items that can only be found in your museum.

Via-Gossman: The Sesquicentennial of the Civil War commemorations, which have just come to end, come to mind as a time when our museum helped put the area on the map. We saw visitors come here from all over the country–and all over the globe–and many local residents discovered the rich history in their own backyards. Through our walking and bike tours, Civil War Weekend, special exhibits, book talks, school field trips, and so much more, we aim to remind all our visitors that we walk on sacred ground where such an important part of the nation’s history was forged.

PL: Can area residents help play a larger role in helping your organization build awareness of your goals?

Via-Gossman: We love when visitors come to the museum or an event on the advice of someone who visited before. We hope that everyone who visits—including our many school children–has such a good experience that they would recommend us to their friends, family, and neighbors. We also could not do what we do without the help of our wonderful volunteers. They help us maintain weekend hours, take good care of our visitors, help with events and behind the scenes work. We are always looking for dedicated volunteers who care about preserving our history.

PL: What new exhibits / events can we expect at your museum in the near future?

Via-Gossman: This year’s Civil War Weekend will be August 21-23, and there are many free events for all ages in Historic Downtown Manassas and at Liberia Plantation. The event grew out of the popularity of events during the 2011 Sesquicentennial, and some parts of the weekend, like the mock rail car burning and bourbon tasting, have become annual traditions. Other newer events like Museum at the Market, allow visitors to enjoy a hands-on activity and learn something new at the Saturday Farmer’s Market.