A complete listing of events for the Manassas – Bull Run – Prince William County Civil War Sesquicentennial Celebration happening Thursday through Sunday.
Note: The websites for several of these events mention that they may change due to weather or alternate plans at any time without notice.
Thursday, July 21
- 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.: The Civil War in Virginia, An American Turning Point, 9101 Prince William Street (Manassas Museum). This exhibition, traveling to eight museums throughout Virginia starting with The Manassas Museum, will challenge visitors to interpret events from all sides of the conflict.
- 10 a.m. – 8 pm.: Life After the War Living History, Jennie Dean Historic Site, 9601 Wellington Road. In 1893, former slave Jennie Dean, after almost a decade of charismatic fundraising, chartered the Manassas Industrial School. The site interprets the Manassas Industrial School for Colored Youth on October 7, 1893. Learn about the life of former slaves after the war and this unique woman.
- 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. : Union Military Strategy at Cannon Branch Fort, Gateway Boulevard. Interpreters discuss Union military strategy and the importance of the railroad in the war, along with fort construction and artillery. This site will feature a raid on the Union camp and Signal Corps.
- 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.: Confederate Headquarters at Liberia Plantation, 8601 Portner Avenue. This program will feature interpretations on William James Weir, General P.G.T. Beauregard, President Davis, and lady spy Rose Greenhow.
- 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.: Living History on Manassas Museum Lawn, 9101 Prince William Street. Living history on the lawn will feature demonstrations of period crafts, military demonstrations of drilling, artillery, and camp medicine, along with authentic music from military and civilian reenactors.
- 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.: Camp Manassas, Jennie Dean Park 9680 Wellington Road. Military encampments, blacksmith, soap making, cooking demonstration, and medical area with operating tents and ambulances. The site will also have a children’s area with period games and a separate area for horse training, drills, and equipment display. An area for slave interpretation and live military demonstrations are also being planned
- 10 p.m. – 8 p.m.: Defending the Junction at Mayfield Fort, 8401 Quarry Road. Interpreters discuss Confederate military strategy and the defense of Manassas Junction in 1861. This site will feature the making of the famous Quaker guns, dispatches and communication with signal flags, telegraphs, and horses.
- 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.: Stories in Stone at the Confederate Cemetery, one mile from the intersection of Sudley Road and Lee Highway. Self-guided tours of the land originally donated by Colonel W. S. Fewell and where in 1868 the remains of an estimated 250 Confederate soldiers who died in adjacent farmhouses and field hospitals were re-interred.
- Noon – 12:30 p.m: Commemorative Stamp Dedication at Manassas National Battlefield Park will mark the 150th anniversary of the First Battle of Manassas. Hosted by the National Park Service and the United States Postal Service. 30 min., Commemorative Stage Area, Henry Hill.
- 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.: Color in Freedom Exhibit at the Candy Factory, 9419 Battle Street. African-American artist Joseph Holston brings a fresh and invaluable perspective to an important American story in this fresh interpretation of the journey along the Underground Railroad.
- 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.: Changing Fortunes on Henry Hill is a two-hour tour offering a detailed examination of the critical events on Henry Hill during the height of the fighting at First Manassas. Sites to visit will include Robinson House site, Jackson’s position, Griffin’s artillery position, Ricketts’ artillery position, Henry House. 2 hours, Departs from Visitor Center at Manassas Battlefield Park.
- 4 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.: Guided Tour- War and Remembrance: The Henry Farm- From Battlefield to Memorial a 90-minute tour that will explore the fate of the Henry Farm and its neighborhood in the aftermath of the battle and the war, from its role as the site of the heaviest action at First Manassas to becoming the centerpiece of Manassas National Battlefield Park. Sites to visit will include the Henry House, Bull Run Monument, Stone House overlook, Robinson House site, and the Stonewall Jackson Monument. 90 min., Departs from Visitor Center at Manassas Battlefield Park.
- 4 p.m. -5:30 p.m.: Peace Jubilee, intersection of Grant and Lee. Note that there will be road closures for this event from 1:00pm-6:00pm including Grant Avenue from Church Street to Sudley Road, Lee Avenue from Peabody Street to West Street, and West Street from Lee Avenue to Church Street. There will also be restricted parking on these streets during the same time period.
- 8:00 p.m. – 10 p.m.: Sesquicentennial Commemorative Concert at Hylton Performing Arts Center, 10960 George Mason Circle, A concert of Americana music will feature opera star Denyce Graves and conductor Lorin Maazel with the Castleton Festival Orchestra. Tickets are required and begin at $30 (not $25 as was first reported).
Friday, July 22 (All afternoon activities scheduled to take place at Manassas Battlefield canceled because of heat)
- 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. : The Civil War in Virginia, An American Turning Point, 9101 Prince William Street (Manassas Museum). This exhibition, traveling to eight museums throughout Virginia starting with The Manassas Museum, will challenge visitors to interpret events from all sides of the conflict.
- 10 a.m. -8 p.m.: Life After the War Living History, Jennie Dean Historic Site 9601 Wellington Road. In 1893, former slave Jennie Dean, after almost a decade of charismatic fundraising, chartered the Manassas Industrial School. The site interprets the Manassas Industrial School for Colored Youth on October 7, 1893. Learn about the life of former slaves after the war and this unique woman.
- 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.: Union Military Strategy at Cannon Branch Fort, Gateway Boulevard. Interpreters discuss Union military strategy and the importance of the railroad in the war, along with fort construction and artillery. This site will feature a raid on the Union camp and Signal Corps.
- 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.: Confederate Headquarters at Liberia Plantation, 8601 Portner Avenue. This program will feature interpretations on William James Weir, General P.G.T. Beauregard, President Davis, and lady spy Rose Greenhow.
- 10 a.m.- 8 p.m.: Living History on Manassas Museum Lawn, 9101 Prince William Street. Living history on the lawn will feature demonstrations of period crafts, military demonstrations of drilling, artillery, and camp medicine, along with authentic music from military and civilian reenactors.
- 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.: Camp Manassas, Jennie Dean Park 9680 Wellington Road. military encampments, blacksmith, soap making, cooking demonstration, and medical area with operating tents and ambulances. The site will also have a children’s area with period games and a separate area for horse training, drills, and equipment display. An area for slave interpretation and live military demonstrations are also being planned
- 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.: Defending the Junction at Mayfield Fort, 8401 Quarry Road. Interpreters discuss Confederate military strategy and the defense of Manassas Junction in 1861. This site will feature the making of the famous Quaker guns, dispatches and communication with signal flags, telegraphs, and horses.
- 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.: Stories in Stone at the Confederate Cemetery, one mile from the intersection of Sudley Road and Lee Highway. Self-guided tours of the land originally donated by Colonel W. S. Fewell and where in 1868 the remains of an estimated 250 Confederate coldiers who died in adjacent farmhouses and field hospitals were re-interred.
- 10 a.m. – noon: Guided Tour- Standing Watch at Stone Bridge a two-hour tour focusing on the early morning action of First Manassas in the vicinity of the Stone Bridge. Sites to visit will include the reconstructed Stone Bridge, Farm Ford, and Van Pelt Hill.
- 10 a.m. – noon: Manassas Civil War Parade: Please note that there will be widespread road closures beginning at 9:00am. Roads will reopen once the parade passes. There will also be parking restrictions beginning at midnight Thursday on West, Center, and Main streets in Old Town Manassas, as well as and Portner and Breeden avenues.
- 10 a.m. – 8:30p.m.- 150th Anniversary of 1st Manassas at Manassas Battlefield Park. Events will occur regularly throughout the day including a reenactment of the events of the 1st Manassas.
- 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.: Civil War Baseball Game at Jennie Dean School, 9601 Prince William Street. Enjoy a game of America’s National pastime as far more than just a mere sporting event, baseball has become a major part of the American culture and has often been responsible for bringing people together in times of crisis. Therefore, it somehow seems fitting that the origins of modern baseball can be traced back to a divided America when the country was in the midst of the Civil War and both sides sought relief by playing baseball.
- 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.: Color in Freedom Exhibit at the Candy Factory, 9419 Battle Street. African-American artist Joseph Holston brings a fresh and invaluable perspective to an important American story in this fresh interpretation of the journey along the Underground Railroad.
- 1 p.m. – midnight: Civil War Living History Encampment, Best Western Battlefield 10820 Balls Ford Road. Civil War Living History Encampment to include mortar and cannon demonstrations, cooking demonstrations.
- 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.: Guided Tour- Fading Hopes on Chinn Ridge. Two-hour tour detailing the fighting on the Chinn Farm at the close of the First Battle of Manassas. Sites to visit will include Chinn Branch, the Chinn House site and Howard’s position. 2 hours at Manassas Battlefield Park.
- 3 p.m. – 10 p.m.: World Premiere- Director’s Cut of “Gods and Generals” at the Hylton Performing Arts Center, 10960 George Mason Circle.
- 7 p.m.- 8:30 p.m.: Live Civil War Period Music at the Harris Pavilion, 9201 Center Street. Enjoy live Civil War Period Music at the Harris Pavilion in Historic Manassas, free.
- 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.: Virginia’s Civil War Exhibit- Opening Reception at the Manassas Museum, 9101 Prince William Street.
Saturday, July 23
- All day: 38th Annual Battle of Manassas Tournament
- 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.: 150th Anniversary of the Battle of First Manassas/Bull Run Reenactment
- 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.: The Civil War in Virginia, An American Turning Point, 9101 Prince William Street (Manassas Museum). This exhibition, traveling to eight museums throughout Virginia starting with The Manassas Museum, will challenge visitors to interpret events from all sides of the conflict.
- 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.: Life After the War Living History, Jennie Dean Historic Site 9601 Wellington Road. In 1893, former slave Jennie Dean, after almost a decade of charismatic fundraising, chartered the Manassas Industrial School. The site interprets the Manassas Industrial School for Colored Youth on October 7, 1893. Learn about the life of former slaves after the war and this unique woman.
- 10 a.m.- 8 p.m.: Union Military Strategy at Cannon Branch Fort, Gateway Boulevard. Interpreters discuss Union military strategy and the importance of the railroad in the war, along with fort construction and artillery. This site will feature a raid on the Union camp and Signal Corps.
- 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.: Confederate Headquarters at Liberia Plantation, 8601 Portner Avenue. This program will feature interpretations on William James Weir, General P.G.T. Beauregard, President Davis, and lady spy Rose Greenhow.
- 10 a.m. -8 a.m.: Living History on Manassas Museum Lawn, 9101 Prince William Street. Living history on the lawn will feature demonstrations of period crafts, military demonstrations of drilling, artillery, and camp medicine, along with authentic music from military and civilian reenactors.
- 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.: Camp Manassas; Camp Manassas, Jennie Dean Park 9680 Wellington Road. military encampments, blacksmith, soap making, cooking demonstration, and medical area with operating tents and ambulances. The site will also have a children’s area with period games and a separate area for horse training, drills, and equipment display. An area for slave interpretation and live military demonstrations are also being planned
- 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.: Defending the Junction at Mayfield Fort, 8401 Quarry Road. Interpreters discuss Confederate military strategy and the defense of Manassas Junction in 1861. This site will feature the making of the famous Quaker guns, dispatches and communication with signal flags, telegraphs, and horses.
- 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.: Stories in Stone at the Confederate Cemetery, one mile from the intersection of Sudley Road and Lee Highway. Self-guided tours of the land originally donated by Colonel W. S. Fewell and where in 1868 the remains of an estimated 250 Confederate coldiers who died in adjacent farmhouses and field hospitals were re-interred.
- 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.: 150th Anniversary of 1st Manassas- Manassas Battlefield Park Events will occur regularly throughout the day including a reenactment of the events of the 1st Manassas.
- 10 a.m. – noon: Guided Tour- Opening Clash at Matthews’ Hill at Manassas Battlefield Park. a two-hour tour offering a detailed look at the initial fighting at Matthews Hill and along the Manassas-Sudley Road corridor during the morning of July 21, 1861. 2 hours, Matthews Hill.
- 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.: Civil War Baseball Game at Jennie Dean School, 9601 Prince William Street. Enjoy a game of America’s National pastime as far more than just a mere sporting event, baseball has become a major part of the American culture and has often been responsible for bringing people together in times of crisis. Therefore, it somehow seems fitting that the origins of modern baseball can be traced back to a divided America when the country was in the midst of the Civil War and both sides sought relief by playing baseball.
- 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.: John Chapman’s Civil War Nightmare, 17504 Beverly Mill Road, Broad Run. Take a guided tour through historic Chapman/Beverley Mill and learn about the Civil War history of the mill and the family who operated it in that era. Hear the fascinating history of Chapman’s Mill during the Civil War from a “living historian” interpreting Ellen Chapman, the widow of John Chapman. Learn the impact of the war on this important 19th century industrial center and the man who operated it. $5.
- 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.: Bristoe Station Battlefield Tour, 10708 Bristow Road. Learn about Camp Jones and the two battles that took place here in 1862 and 1863. Tours begin on the hour and depart from the kiosk in the parking lot on Iron Brigade Unit Avenue. Last tour at 3 p.m. Please dress for the weather and wear comfortable walking shoes. No pets please
- 11: a.m. – noon: Civil War Living History Encampment, Best Western Battlefield 10820 Balls Ford Road. Civil War Living History Encampment to include mortar and cannon demonstrations, cooking demonstrations and more!
- 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.: Color in Freedom Exhibit at the Candy Factory, 9419 Battle Street. African-American artist Joseph Holston brings a fresh and invaluable perspective to an important American story in this fresh interpretation of the journey along the Underground Railroad.
- 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.: The Robinson Farm – An African American Family Caught in the Crossfire is a two-hour program that will detail the experience of the James Robinson family during the Civil War and Reconstruction periods, including an exploration of the remains of the Robinson House site and other features identified through archeological investigation during the 1990s. 2 hours, Departs from the Visitor Center
- 3 p.m. – 10 a.m.: World Premiere- Director’s Cut of “Gods and Generals” at the Hylton Performing Arts Center, 10960 George Mason Circle. Two-hour tour detailing the fighting on the Chinn Farm at the close of the First Battle of Manassas. Sites to visit will include Chinn Branch, the Chinn House site and Howard’s position. 2 hours
- 6 p.m. – 7 p.m.: Lecture- Military Leadership during the First Manassas Campaign Lecture given by former NPS Chief Historian Edwin Bearrs will focus on military leadership during the First Manassas campaign. 1 hour, Commemorative Stage Area, Henry Hill at Manassas Battlefield Park.
- 6 p.m. – 11 a.m.: World Premiere- Director’s Cut of “Gods and Generals” at the Hylton Performing Arts Center, 10960 George Mason Circle. two-hour tour detailing the fighting on the Chinn Farm at the close of the First Battle of Manassas. Sites to visit will include Chinn Branch, the Chinn House site and Howard’s position. 2 hours
- 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.: Pringle House Confederate Field Hospital at Ben Lomond Historic Site, 10321 Sudley Manor Drive, You Are There. On July 21, 1861, the Civil War came to Prince William County when two untrained and inexperienced armies waged a bloody contest near Bull Run. As the Federal army fled to the safety of Washington, it left in its wake thousands of casualties on both sides. Virtually every barn, shed, and house in the vicinity was requisitioned for the care of the wounded and the dying. One such place is the Ben Lomond house, known as the Pringle House during the war. This daunting and grim task of caring for an unprecedented number of wounded fell upon the fledgling Confederate medical department. How effective will its response be to this extraordinary undertaking? How will local citizens cope with the carnage and disruption to their lives? What will be the reaction of the troubled and worried families of soldiers back home? Answers to these questions and more will be explored in this special first-person interpretive program using concepts from the award winning 1950’s You Are There television show hosted by Walter Cronkite. Due to the mature theme, this program may be inappropriate for children less than 11 years of age. Reservations are recommended and tickets are $15.
- 7 p.m. – 8 p.m.: Quantico Marine Corps Band Concert, Manassas National Battlefield Park, Evening Concert by the Quantico Marine Corps Band will feature historical and patriotic works. 1 hour, Commemorative Stage Area, Henry Hill
Sunday, July 24
- All day: 38th Annual Battle of Manassas Tournament. Various locations and times. Adult slowpitch softball teams and will include divisions of play for Mens. Coed and Senior teams. Competition will be held at parks throughout Prince William County and Manassas, including a Civil War Reenactment Game.
- 7 p.m. – 3 p.m.: 150th Anniversary of the Battle of First Manassas/Bull Run Reenactment. Pageland Farm, Gainesville. This two day reenactment at Pageland Farm in Gainesville, Virginia will include 10,000 civil war re-enactors and feature historically accurate battle reenactments on both days. Displays and exhibits will include artillery firing demonstrations, lectures, book signings, a sutler’s row, living history vignettes, and children’s activities
- 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.: The Civil War in Virginia, An American Turning Point, 9101 Prince William Street (Manassas Museum). This exhibition, traveling to eight museums throughout Virginia starting with The Manassas Museum, will challenge visitors to interpret events from all sides of the conflict.
- 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Life After the War Living History, Jennie Dean Historic Site 9601 Wellington Road. In 1893, former slave Jennie Dean, after almost a decade of charismatic fundraising, chartered the Manassas Industrial School. The site interprets the Manassas Industrial School for Colored Youth on October 7, 1893. Learn about the life of former slaves after the war and this unique woman.
- 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Union Military Strategy at Cannon Branch Fort, Gateway Boulevard. Interpreters discuss Union military strategy and the importance of the railroad in the war, along with fort construction and artillery. This site will feature a raid on the Union camp and Signal Corps.
- 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Confederate Headquarters at Liberia Plantation, 8601 Portner Avenue. This program will feature interpretations on William James Weir, General P.G.T. Beauregard, President Davis, and lady spy Rose Greenhow.
- 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Living History on Manassas Museum Lawn, 9101 Prince William Street. Living history on the lawn will feature demonstrations of period crafts, military demonstrations of drilling, artillery, and camp medicine, along with authentic music from military and civilian reenactors.
- 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.: Camp Manassas Catholic Mass, Jennie Dean Park 9680 Wellington Road.
- 10:00a-4:00p: Camp Manassas, Jennie Dean Park 9680 Wellington Road. military encampments, blacksmith, soap making, cooking demonstration, and medical area with operating tents and ambulances. The site will also have a children’s area with period games and a separate area for horse training, drills, and equipment display. An area for slave interpretation and live military demonstrations are also being planned
- 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Defending the Junction at Mayfield Fort, 8401 Quarry Road. Interpreters discuss Confederate military strategy and the defense of Manassas Junction in 1861. This site will feature the making of the famous Quaker guns, dispatches and communication with signal flags, telegraphs, and horses.
- 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Stories in Stone at the Confederate Cemetery, one mile from the intersection of Sudley Road and Lee Highway. Self-guided tours of the land originally donated by Colonel W. S. Fewell and where in 1868 the remains of an estimated 250 Confederate coldiers who died in adjacent farmhouses and field hospitals were re-interred.
- 10 a.m. – noon: Guided Tour- Behind the Lines- The Road to Portici a two-hour walking tour offering a view behind Confederate lines on Henry Hill during First Manassas. Sites to visit include Henry Farm road, Holkum’s Branch, and Portici, site of Gen. Joseph Johnston’s headquarters during the battle. 2 hours, Departs from Visitor Center at Manassas Battlefield.
- 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.: Interfaith Service on the Museum Lawn 9101 Prince William Street. Manassas concludes its Sesquicentennial commemoration with a church service with the weekend’s participants on the Manassas Museum lawn in Old Town Manassas.
- 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.: Civil War Baseball Game at Jennie Dean School, 9601 Prince William Street. Enjoy a game of America’s National pastime as far more than just a mere sporting event, baseball has become a major part of the American culture and has often been responsible for bringing people together in times of crisis. Therefore, it somehow seems fitting that the origins of modern baseball can be traced back to a divided America when the country was in the midst of the Civil War and both sides sought relief by playing baseball.
- 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.: Bristoe Station Battlefield Tour, 10708 Bristow Road. Learn about Camp Jones and the two battles that took place here in 1862 and 1863. Tours begin on the hour and depart from the kiosk in the parking lot on Iron Brigade Unit Avenue. Last tour at 3 p.m. Please dress for the weather and wear comfortable walking shoes. No pets please
- 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.: Color in Freedom Exhibit at the Candy Factory, 9419 Battle Street. African-American artist Joseph Holston brings a fresh and invaluable perspective to an important American story in this fresh interpretation of the journey along the Underground Railroad.
- 2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.: Guided Tour- Retreat and Pursuit- A Defeated Army Begins its Withdrawal a 90-minute tour focusing on the Union withdrawal from Henry Hill and Chinn Ridge and initial Confederate efforts to launch a pursuit. Sites to visit will include the Stone House, Buck Hill, and Matthews Hill. 1-1/2 hour, Departs from Visitor Center at Manassas Battlefield Park.
- 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.: United Daughters of the Confederacy Remembers: Wreath Laying Ceremony at the cemetery at 9207 Center Street in Manassas.
-Compiled by Kristina Kotlus
For more information:
https://www.manassascivilwar.org/home.aspx
https://manassasbullrun.com/
