Prince William County has a unique and extensive African American history that is preserved and interpreted through its surviving buildings.
Throughout the county’s history, many enslaved African Americans worked at plantations throughout the county including Rippon Lodge and Ben Lomond.
At Brentsville, both enslaved and free African Americans were placed on trial where they were not able to testify against their white neighbors because they were considered second class citizens.
At Lucasville and the Barnes House, free African Americans after the Civil War built homes and communities to establish a life for themselves as free citizens, where they began to challenge racism and segregation.
To celebrate Black History Month, Prince William County will be opening some of their historic sites throughout February to provide visitors the opportunity to learn more about Prince William County’s unique African American History. For more information these programs or to visit the sites, please call Prince William County’s Historic Preservation Division at 703-792-4754.
Weekends in February
Lucasville School Open Weekends
On Saturdays and Sundays in February from 11am-4pm, visit the 19th century one-room Lucasville School. The only surviving building of the Lucasville community, learn about the people who once educated and taught in this small, but significant, symbol of the community. Learn about the former slaves who left nearby plantations following the Civil War to form one of the earliest minority communities in Northern Virginia. Lucasville School is located at 10516 Godwin Drive, Manassas, VA, 20110, admission is free.
February 20
Every Day Full of Work: The African American Experience at Ben Lomond
During this special tour of the house and grounds at Ben Lomond, learn about the enslaved population living at Ben Lomond in the years before the Civil War. Explore the chores that enslaved men, women, and children were expected to complete. Learn how, under slavery, they were forced to live emotionally and physically challenging lives in which freedom and choice were taken away. Tours will be offered on the hour from 11am-4pm. Ben Lomond Historic Site is located at 10321 Sudley Manor Drive, Manassas, VA 20109, admission is $5 per person.
February 27
Barnes House Hard Hat Tour
Get a hard hat tour of Prince William County’s newest “old” building. The house was the home to an African American family after the Civil War. Learn about the family’s amazing history during the Reconstruction-era and learn about the restoration of the building. This is a rare opportunity to see preservation in action! Barnes House is located at the Montclair Community Library, 5049 Waterway Drive, Dumfries, VA, $5 suggested donation.
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