Uriah’s note: Welcome to another installment of our History and Heritage Feature Series, which was made possible through the support of Sentara. This series celebrates the rich cultural heritage and history of Prince William County, Stafford County, Manassas, Manassas Park, and Fredericksburg.

The Prince William Board of County Supervisors is advancing plans for a Revolutionary War Memorial at the historic Williams Ordinary in Dumfries, supported by an $81,000 grant from the Virginia Department of Historical Resources (VDHR) Virginia 250 Preservation Fund.

The project aims to honor the county’s contributions to the American Revolution while shedding light on the diverse individuals who helped shape the nation’s founding.

The memorial, estimated to cost $122,000, will feature an outdoor commemorative space and is part of a broader effort to revitalize Williams Ordinary. The project is contingent on a local match of $41,000, which the Prince William Historic Preservation Foundation is actively raising. To date, $31,000 has been secured, with $10,000 remaining to meet the January 31, 2025, deadline to finalize the grant agreement.

“This particular project is part of a larger project to transform Williams Ordinary into a more publicly facing historic site,” said Bill Backus, a preservationist with the county’s Office of Historic Preservation. “This particular project is to create an outdoor memorial space for the American Revolutionary War experience in Prince William County, highlighting the roles of both men and women, free and enslaved, white and Black residents and non-residents of Prince William County, who created the United States with their actions between 1776 and 1783.”

The memorial will also include the history of Batestown, a historic African American community near Dumfries. Potomac District Supervisor Andrea Bailey emphasized its inclusion, stating, “This will also include part of a larger project within the building itself to highlight some of the communities in that part of Prince William County, including the historic African American community of Batestown, Virginia.”

The Prince William County Historical Commission passed a resolution on August 13, 2024, endorsing the project and the grant application. The project aligns with the Virginia 250 Preservation Fund’s goal of enhancing historic sites in preparation for the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.

“This is an incredible opportunity to tell the full story of Prince William County during the American Revolution,” said Supervisor Bailey during the discussion. “It’s about honoring everyone’s contributions to the founding of our nation.”

The memorial will be accompanied by improvements to Williams Ordinary, turning the historic site into an educational and commemorative space for residents and visitors. The design concept, previously approved by the Board as part of its 2024 work plan, aims to connect the community with the rich history of the Revolutionary era.

With the Board’s anticipated ratification of the $81,000 grant and the Foundation’s ongoing fundraising efforts, construction on the Revolutionary War Memorial is expected to begin in late 2025. Completion is targeted ahead of the 250th anniversary celebrations in 2026.

“This memorial will serve as a focal point for education and reflection,” said Backus. “It will connect our present-day community with the stories of courage and perseverance that defined the Revolutionary era.”

Williams Ordinary, on Route 1 in Dumfries, is one of the oldest surviving colonial-era taverns in the state and a key landmark in Prince William County’s history. Built in the mid-18th century, the two-story brick structure is renowned for its distinctive Flemish bond brickwork and grand architecture, which were uncommon for taverns of its time.

Local choirs and performers from Prince William County will gather for a Community Interfaith Christmas Concert on Sunday, December 15, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. in 14015 Glenkirk Road, Gainesville.

The program will feature music from the Little Zion Baptist Church, Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, Gainesville High School Ensemble, and the Gainesville Virginia Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, among others. Traditional carols and seasonal favorites will be performed.

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The Nokesville Community Christmas Tree Lighting took place on Friday evening following Thanksgiving, officially welcoming in the Christmas holiday.

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The Lifelong Learning Institute-Manassas (LLI), an educational and social organization geared toward senior citizens, is offering two free programs on Dec. 9 at the Hylton Performing Arts Center.

The programs are both being held at George Mason University's Hylton Performing Arts Center in Manassas. The programs focus on different topics and presented by two experts in their own right.

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Registration is open for the 2025 Polar Plunge at Leesylvania State Park in Woodbridge on February 15 to raise funds for Special Olympics Virginia. Participants can join individually or in teams, donate, or attend to cheer, with activities including live music, games, and a costume contest.

Press Release from Prince William County:

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December is going to be a festive month around Prince William County and Manassas with several events and activities scheduled. Take a look at some highlighted events. Monday (Dec. 2)

• Board of County Supervisors Joint Legislative Meeting, 9 a.m. (Woodbridge)
• Holiday Gift Bringers Scavenger Hunt, All day through the month (Bull Run Library)
• Festival of Trees, All day through the month (Haymarket Gainesville Library)
• Ornament Take & Make, All day while supplies last (Independent Hill Library)
• Manassas City Council Meeting, 5:30 p.m. (Manassas City)

Tuesday (Dec. 3)

• Cardboard Gingerbread House Contest, through Dec. 8 (Manassas Park City Library)

Friday (Dec. 6)

• Holiday Through the Ages, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Woodbridge)
• Santa Lights Manassas and Tree Lighting Ceremony, 5:15 to 7 p.m. (Manassas City)
• Holiday Walk of Lights, 5:30 to 9 p.m. until Dec. 22 (Woodbridge)
• Kids Night Out, 6 to 9 p.m. (Woodbridge)

Saturday (Dec. 7)

• West County Household Hazardous Waste Disposal, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Manassas)
• Holiday Market, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Woodbridge)
• Greater Manassas Christmas Parade, 10 a.m. to noon (Manassas City)
• Elementary School Strings Holiday Performance, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Haymarket Gainesville Library)
• Craft & Create: Coffee Filter Snowflakes, 2 to 3 p.m. (Manassas Park)

Sunday (Dec. 8)

• Holiday Carriage Rides, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Sunday until Dec. 15 (Manassas City)

Dec. 9

• Chinn Park Library reopens (Woodbridge)
• Woven Wall Hangings Take and Make, All day (Dumfries Library)
• Manassas City Council Meeting, 5:30 p.m. (Manassas City)

Dec. 10

• Homeschool Hangout, 1 to 3 p.m. (Chinn Park Library)
• Board of County Supervisors Meeting, 2 p.m. (Woodbridge)
• Busy Hands Social Club, 6 to 7:30 p.m. (Central Library)

Dec. 11

• Coffee with a Cop, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. (Gainesville)
• Pajama Story Time, 7 to 7:30 p.m. (Haymarket Gainesville Library)

Dec. 12

• Holiday Illustrated Poems, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Dumfries Library)
• Teens Create: Holiday Picture Frames, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. (Manassas Park)

Dec. 13

• Kids Create: Play-Doh Snowmen, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. (Manassas Park)

Dec. 14

• Santa Trains 2024, various times and locations
• Family Gingerbread House Building Contest, 10 a.m. to noon (Woodbridge)
• Mistletoe Holiday Craft Festival, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (Montclair Library)
• Building Emergency Kits for a Safer Tomorrow, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Potomac Library)
• Yuletide Yoga, Noon to 1:30 p.m. (Woodbridge)
• Teddy Bear Picnic, 2 to 3 p.m. (Bull Run Library)

Dec. 16

• Ribbon Rendezvous, 4 to 7:30 p.m. (Chinn Park Library)
• Teen Gingerbread Challenge, 6 to 7:30 p.m. (Haymarket Gainesville Library)
• Recording in Progress, 6 to 7:30 p.m. (Bull Run Library)

Dec. 17

• Board of County Supervisors Meeting, 2 p.m. (Woodbridge)
• Adults Create: Clothespin Snowflake Ornament, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. (Manassas Park)
• Winter Snowflake Making, 6 to 7 p.m. (Haymarket Gainesville Library)

Dec. 18

• AARP Smart Driver Course, 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. (Haymarket Gainesville Library)
• Crochet and Coffee, 11 a.m. to noon (Nokesville Library)

Dec. 20

• Memory Café with Comfort Keepers of Greater Prince William, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Haymarket Gainesville Library)
• Taverns & TTRPGs, 6 to 9 p.m. (Great Mane Brewery)

Dec. 21

• BRAVA Handbells Holiday Concert, 2 to 4 p.m. (Haymarket Gainesville Library)

Dec. 22

• Bad Art, 3 to 5 p.m. (Great Mane Brewery)

Dec. 23

• Bad Art Night, 6 to 7:30 p.m. (Chinn Park Library)

Dec. 30

• Brit Lit Book Club, 1 to 2:30 p.m. (Potomac Library)

Dec. 31

• New Year's Eve Pre-Party Palooza, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (Central Library)
• Countdown to Noon, 11:45 a.m. (Bull Run Library)

In the music world, the influences and power don’t seem to come from the female side of the industry, so Ionna World is taking a step to change that. She totes her guitar and songs around locally, but World seems to have her sights on the whole world when it comes to women in music.

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Stafford County is gearing up for a magical evening to kick off the holiday season with its annual Tree Lighting Event, scheduled for Friday, December 6, 2024, at the Stafford County Government Center, 1300 Courthouse Road. Beginning at 6 p.m., the event promises various performances, activities, and surprises for the whole family.

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From North Stafford High School’s Facebook page:

North Stafford High School’s Choir has reached the final round of the WashFM Christmas Choir Competition! Let’s bring the title of DMV Best Choir to Stafford—your vote makes all the difference! Cast your vote now and support our talented performers. #StaffordSchoolsArts
#WASH-FM’s 2024 Christmas Choir Competition | Win DMV Best Choir!!