Manassas Battlefield Park creates ‘traveling trunks’

One of the 12 Centennial Challenge grants has been awarded to Manassas National Battlefield Park.

The Centennial Challenge is a nation-wide effort of the National Park Service to provide funding for park projects and programs in conjunction with park partner organizations, explained the chief of interpretation and cultural resources management Ray Brown.

Partnering organizations have given nine million dollars to match the two million dollar federal investment, this leaves a total of $11 million for the 12 area grant winners.

“The Manassas Battlefield Trust is a valued partner with the park in this effort and many more programs and projects to come,” said Park Superintendent Jon G. James.

The grant money is being used to fund a project known as “traveling trunks.” With the help of local teachers, Manassas Battlefield Park’s education and interpretive staff are creating trunks with imitation artifacts, maps, documents, letters, and other materials. The trunks will teach youth about the two Civil War battles of Manassas through hands-on lesson plans and project-based learning opportunities.

“The Manassas Battlefield Trust is pleased to provide the matching funds to support such a worthwhile project.  It is not always possible to get students into the park, but these trunks will not only allow the history and stories from the Manassas battlefields into the classroom, but will also give the students an opportunity to work with and interpret primary source material,” said Trust Executive Director Debra Kathman about the award.

Separate trunks will be made for elementary, middle, and high school level students. The trunks are expected to be ready in time for the 2016-2017 school year.

“Shared grant opportunities like the Centennial Challenge are ideal ways for parks and partners to best leverage funds for the benefit of public education about the principal mission and themes of the park,” said Park Superintendent Jon G. James.

In 2013, the Manassas Battlefield Trust set out on their mission to assist Manassas National Battlefield Park in its endeavors to preserve, protect, and promote the park through community engagement, educational programs, and targeted financial support.