Community Corner

City Commemorating 150th Anniversary of Second Battle of Manassas This Weekend

A lot of history being relived at historic sites in the City of Manassas this weekend, including the Manassas Museum and Liberia Plantation.

The City of Manassas is commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Second Battle of Manassas this weekend only and there's a lot to see in its 10 square miles.

The Thursday to a invitation-only VIP reception with remarks from Manassas Mayor Harry Parrish II and others.

A 15-minute tour of the modified tractor trailer turned interactive museum will expose visitors to the new and old as it comes packed with state-of-the art technology and civil war exhibits that tell the story of the war and emancipation. Virginia's "museum on wheels" will be parked at the intersecion of West and Prince William streets in Old Town Manassas. The exhibit is free to the public and  tours are offered every 15 minutes until 8 p.m. Friday; Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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Also, sitting in the parking lot of the is a model train display by the National Capital Trackers.

Visitors to the Manassas Musuem law this weekend will encounter living history demonstrations by Lee's Lieutenants Army of Northern Virginia, lectures, military drilling, artillery, and camp medicine along with authentic music from military and civilian reenactors. 

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Inside the museum, visitors can see , including spurs belonging to Confederate Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson himself as well as the special The museum is free this weekend.

But the main attraction this weekend for civil war enthusiasts, history buffs and the curious will be Visitors to Liberia Plantation this weekend will be able to meet the general as well as President Abraham Lincoln or Secretary of War Edwin Stanton as they engage in discussion. 

According to Lisa Sievel-Otten, administrative assistant  for the city's Department  of Community & Economic Development,  this year's commemoration of the Civil War largely focuses on activities going on at the Manassas Museum and Liberia Plantation, where there will also be slave life living history exhibits, including African Ameican songs and stories and children's activities. For adults, there will be reenactors and artillery, a medical tent and lace maker living history exhibit.  The house and grounds will be open for first floor tours and children's activities Friday through Sunday, from about 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., according to Sievel Otten.

The City of Manassas will also be providing a shuttle on Saturday that will transport visitors from the Manassas Museum to Liberia Plantation from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information about this and other events taking place in the City of Manassas, visit visitmanassas.org.

Civil War sesquicentennial events are available throughout Prince William County and the National Battlefield site through Sunday. For a full list of events taking place this weekend in Prince William County, visit manassasbullrun.com.

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