Events: PWC Historic Preservation May Highlights (2022)

 

May Program Highlights

May is National Historic Preservation Month! Since 1973, local preservation groups, state historical societies, and business and civic organizations across the country celebrate Historic Preservation Month through activities that promote historic places and heritage tourism, and that demonstrate the social and economic benefits of historic preservation. Did you know that the Office of Historic Preservation preserves 15 sites and over 550 acres of historically and culturally significant property throughout the county? From Bushy Park and Brentsville to Rippon Lodge and Cockpit Point, we strive to protect Prince William County’s heritage and provide the community a chance to learn and engage in these historic places. Participate in Preservation Month by making use of our efforts! Join us for a tour or an event, follow us Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube for our videos and articles, and don’t forget to tell your friends and family about Prince William County's history! For more information about what we preserve, check us out at www.pwcva.gov/history and together we can preserve Prince William County's unique history! #pwchistory #historicpreservationmonth #thisplacematters

Visit Prince William County Historic Preservation website for updates regarding hours of operation and upcoming programs.

Ben Lomond Historic Site, Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre and Rippon Lodge Historic Site are open for tours Friday-Monday at 11am, 1pm and 3pm.  We continue to evaluate operating schedules in light of the impacts of COVID-19. As such, patrons who are unvaccinated or not fully-vaccinated are recommended to wear masks. If you have or recently had fever, cough, or shortness of breath please make the decision to stay home. Prince William County Parks, Recreation & Tourism along with the Office of Historic Preservation's COVID-19 Operating Information. Grounds are open from dawn until dusk.

May - October: Tours on 2nd & 4th Weekends Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park Tours Tours offered at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m.; Free, donations encouraged Bristoe Station Battlefield staff and volunteers will provide guided tours of this hallowed ground that contains camps, cemeteries, and battlefields. Learn about Camp Jones and the battles that took place in 1862 and 1863. Tours begin at 11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm and depart from the kiosk in the parking lot on Iron Brigade Unit Avenue. The last tour leaves at 3 pm. Please dress for the weather and wear comfortable walking shoes. Insect repellant is encouraged. No pets please. Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park Bristow, VA Parking lot is located off Iron Brigade Unit Ave. (703) 366-3049

May 2 Museum Kids Monday! 10 a.m. -11 a.m.; $5 per child, ages 5-9 and under. Bring your child to Brentsville Courthouse this summer to explore history through sight, sound, smell, and touch through hands-on activities and crafts! Topics will vary each month and include subjects such as farming, archaeology, or 19th century toys. Adult must be able to participate with children. Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre will host the first Monday of the month, Ben Lomond Historic Site the third Monday of the month. Please contact the site to learn about the subject of the month. Reservations are not required. Additional Information and Registration Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre, 12229 Bristow Road, Bristow, VA. 703-365-7895

May 4 Wednesday Walk at Bristoe Station Battlefield “They were never more firm and steady under fire”: The 1st Minnesota at the Battle of Bristoe Station 7 p.m.; Free, donations encouraged The 1st Minnesota Regiment is best remembered for its costly charge down the slope of Cemetery Ridge at the battle of Gettysburg on July 2, 1863, where the unit sustained upwards of 82% casualties. Despite their losses, however, the war did not end there for the men of the unit. During the battle of Bristoe Station on October 14, 1863, the veteran regiment helped open the fight, defended the railroad, and captured several enemy guns and scores of prisoners. “They were never more firm and steady under fire,” reported Major Mark Downie, the commanding officer, after the action. Join us on this Wednesday Walk and follow in the footsteps of one of the Civil War’s most legendary units. Additional Information and Registration Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park Bristow, VA Parking lot is located off Iron Brigade Unit Ave. 703-366-3049

May 7-8  Mother's Day Tours  11 a.m. – 4 p.m.; $5.00 per person, Free for children under 6 and for Mothers. Treat your Mom to a tour of Prince William County’s Historic Sites for Mother’s Day! All mothers receive a complimentary tour at Ben Lomond Historic Site, Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre, and Rippon Lodge Historic Site all weekend long. Tours are available at 11 a.m.; 1 p.m. & 3 p.m. For more information, call Prince William Office of Historic Preservation at 703-792-4754.  Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre 12229 Bristow Road Bristow, VA 703-365-7895 Ben Lomond Historic Site 10321 Sudley Manor Drive Manassas, VA 703-367-7872 Rippon Lodge Historic Site 15520 Blackburn Road Woodbridge, VA 703-499-9812

May 7 Spring Planting at Ben Lomond 9 a.m.–11 a.m. and 11 a.m.–1 p.m.; $5 per person, advanced registration recommended Learn how gardens were prepared in the 19th century and see what is different between the Chinn’s garden at Ben Lomond and your home garden. From 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., help prepare the garden for fertilizing and planting. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. dig your hands into the richly prepared soil to begin planting the vegetables and seeds which would have been grown to provide food for the main house and the slave quarters. Participants should wear appropriate clothing and closed-toed shoes for this event. Additional Information and Registration Ben Lomond Historic Site 10321 Sudley Manor Drive Manassas, VA 703-367-7872

May 14 Antique Identification Day at Rippon Lodge Antique Identification Day at Rippon Lodge 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.; $10 per person, reservation required Local experts and museum staff will view vintage and antique pieces of glassware, clothing, jewelry, and memorabilia to provide more insight and classification of your unique pieces of history. This is not an appraisal nor a donation collection. Please do not transport larger pieces of furniture to the historic site. Weapon safety protocols in place. Required registration at www.pwcparks.org/historicprograms. Additional Information and Registration Rippon Lodge Historic Site 15520 Blackburn Road Woodbridge, VA 703-499-9812

May 16 Museum Kids Monday!: Let's Go Fly a Kite 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.; $5 per child, ages 5-9  Kites have been around for centuries. Make your own kite and watch it fly! Adults must be able to participate with children. Reservations are not required. Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre will host the second Monday of the month, Ben Lomond Historic Site the third Monday of the month. Additional Information and Registration Ben Lomond Historic Site 10321 Sudley Manor Drive Manassas, VA 703-367-7872

May 20 Walking Tour of Historic Prince William Towns: Dumfries 7 p.m.; FREE; donations welcome. Join local historians once a month this summer for a special walking tour of historic towns in Prince William County. For May, visit Historic Dumfries, a bustling and diverse community founded on tobacco and witness to the American Revolution. This joint tour with Historic Dumfries Inc. will depart from the Weems-Botts Museum. Additional Information and Registration Weems-Botts Museum 3944 Cameron Street Dumfries, VA 703-365-7895

May 21 Ben Lomond Rose Garden Tea 1 p.m.—3 p.m.; $30 per person, advanced registration required  Celebrate the arrival of spring by spending a wonderful afternoon in the antique rose garden at Ben Lomond enjoying historic tea and garden themed treats. Price of admission includes tea, light refreshments, and a special talk about roses and spring flowers in one of the largest antique rose gardens in the Washington D.C. metro area. Additional Information and Registration Ben Lomond Historic Site 10321 Sudley Manor Dr. Manassas, VA 703-367-7872

May 23 Museum Kid Monday! 10 a.m. -11 a.m.; $5 per person  Bring your toddler to explore history through sight, sound, smell, and touch. Programs include outdoor and indoor activities. Adults must be able to participate with children.  Additional Information and Registration Rippon Lodge Historic Site 15520 Blackburn Road Woodbridge, VA 703-499-9812

May 26 Prince William Historic Preservation Lecture Series: The Newby Family's Fight for Freedom 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.; free, $5 suggested donation Dangerfield Newby was the first of John Brown’s raiders to be killed in their raid on the Federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry in October 1859. Newby not only fought for the freedom of his race but also for the freedom of his family who were enslaved in Prince William County. Historian and author Jon-Erik Gilot will share the Newby’s story and their local connection to Brentsville.

PWCo Items: 12 September 1874

Alexandria Gazette (Va)
12 September 1874

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY ITEMS [From the Manassas Gazette}--

Sam Brown, a colored man, was arrested by officer John T. Goodwin, on Thursday evening last, on a charge of highway robbery, the complainant being Richard W. Jacobs, a white man. Jacobs swore that he was at Bristoe Station last Tuesday and became very much intoxicated, and that Brown accompanied him from Bristoe to Nokesville and drove his (Jacob's) wagon, and that at Nokesville Brown left, after which Jacobs discovered that his pocket book had been robed of $10.65. Brown was searched and four dollars found on him, which he attempted to conceal. On being questioned he gave contradictory statements in regard to the money in his possession. He was committed for a further hearing at Brentsville.

Quite a flutter occurred in the Old School Baptist Church, near this place, last Sunday morning during the services, when a colored many by the name of Lucas walked down the isle and took his seat among the white people. Lucas is a preacher, and has made application once to preach in this church, which was refused. He is a native of this county, and is now a representative in the Legislature.

We published a week or two ago an account of a colored man who came very near losing his life by the foul air in a well which he was cleaning out, and we now have another case to report of a colored man who has been engaged several weeks in deepening a well for Mr. C. L. Hynson, who narrowly escaped with his life a day or two ago by descending to the bottom and being overcome with the foul air.

Two leading articles of food seems to have entirely "played out" in this section, and none can be had for a love or money, viz: Irish potatoes and corn meal. There has not been sufficient of either in Manassas for the past week to feed a chicken.

Mr. Wm. I. Florence, son of Geo. N. Florence, of this place, feel from a fence on Sunday night last, and received a very painful sprain in his left ankle.

A friend informs us that there were six sermons preached in Manassas last Sunday, one marriage, and two baptisms.

Crime & Punishment: Brentsville Jail Break: John Wordier

Alexandria Gazette (Alexandria, Va)

4 December 1855

BROKE JAIL -- John Wordier, who had been committed to the jail of Prince William County, Va., by the warrant of a Justice of the peace, on a charge of horse stealing, broke jail on Saturday, the 1st instant, at Brentsville.  His flight was not discovered till after dark. The jailor took the night train of cars on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, at Bristoe station, and went up the line to Colvin's where he got off and remained, until the train returned to that place, where he resumed his pursuit by taking the cars to Alexandria, thinking it probable that his late prisoner might come on the train at some intervening station.  When the cars reached Union Mills, they were stopped to take on a supply of wood, and the fugitive came into the cars where the jailor was, and on seeing that he was recognized, tried to escape by leaving the cars in haste, but the jailor pursued and arrested him on the platform, took him into the cars and brought him to this city, intending to return with him on the morning train to Prince William, and place him again in jail.  After arriving in Alexandria, the jailor took his prisoner to S. Catt's tavern, at West End, where he intended to stay until the cars were ready to leave in the morning, and about 5 1/2 o'clock, A.M., the captive again escaped, and could not be found.  The jailor gave notice to the police that the thief was at large in the vicinity of this city.

The Daily Express (Petersburg, Va)

6 December 1855

John Wordier, a horse thief made his escape from the jail of Prince William county on the 1st inst. He was subsequently arrested in the cars by the jailor and taken to Alexandria, but managed to get away again and is now at large.

[John Wordier was eventually caught.  In March 1856 he was again sentenced to jail for "grand larceny and lunacy."  Interesting that the jailor is never named in either newspaper report (which was very likely a relief to him!) ~cgl]

Battle of Bristoe Station 150th Commemorative Weekend (Oct. 12-13, 2013)

Battle of Bristoe Station 150th Commemorative Weekend

Saturday – Sunday, October 12-13, 2013

Free, donations encouraged

To commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Bristoe Station, tours, musical performances, lectures, tours and living history demonstrations and encampments to represent the soldiers and units present at the battle in 1863. Weekend kicks off on Saturday at 10am with a dedication ceremony featuring keynote speaker Dr. James I. Robertson Jr. The Virginia History Mobile will be available on Saturday and a Youth Activity Tent will also be available all weekend.   Contact Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park at 703-366-3049 for more information.  Schedule included below.

Parking located at the Bristow Shopping Center with shuttle bus service to the Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park.

For the event schedule and information, please go here.

Event Location:
Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park
10708 Bristow Road, Bristow, VA 20136

Parking at Bristoe Shopping Center:
Nokesville Road (Rte. 28) and Bristow Road (Rte. 619)

New in Tech: New Battle of Bristoe Station mobile app

History and Technology unite!

Check out this article from InsideNova about the launch of the New Battle of Bristoe Station Mobile App.   I'll be downloading the app and giving it a whirl in plenty of time for the Battle of Bristoe Station Commemorative Weekend this October 12-13.  (For more information on the event, please go Here).

Mystery Monday: Couldn't Find His Estate

Alexandria Gazette
October 7, 1873

COULDN'T FIND HIS ESTATE -- A man from Ohio, who lately bought a farm somewhere in Fauquier county, was at Bristoe station a few days ago enquiring for it.  All he seemed to know was that he had bought a farm of a land agent, and paid for it, but he neither knew now where the land agent was, or his "earthly" possessions.  As he could learn nothing, he left, looking very sad.  Mr. Gaines seeing this, very kindly offered to sell him another farm, but the gentleman from Ohio looked sadder still, and went on toward the "Forrest."  ~ Manassas Gazette

Save the Date! October 12-14, 2013 -- 150th Commemoration of the Battle of Bristoe Station

Upcoming Events at Historic Sites in PWCo.

September 24 - 9th Annual Rippon Lodge Harvest Festival

11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.; $5 per person, free for children under six  * FREE for the first 400 people *

Rippon Lodge has a long and diverse past from its Colonial America beginnings until today.  Lectures and demonstrations will be ongoing throughout the day from local history, gardening, and nature groups.  Enjoy music, food, crafts, kids games and activities.  House and cemetery tours will be offered all day.     

Rippon Lodge Historic Site, 15520 Blackburn Road, Woodbridge VA 22192, 703-499-9812

October 1-2 - Brentsville World War II Weekend

11am – 4pm, Free

Join World War II living historians to learn about daily life for soldiers in the Europe and Pacific Theatres. Axis and Allied soldiers will be portrayed with equipment, armaments and historic military vehicles. Learn about the home front and the many ways that citizens supported the war effort. View a diverse exhibit of original WWII artifacts displayed in the ca.1928 One-Room Schoolhouse.

Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre, 12229 Bristow Road, Bristow, VA 20136, 703-365-7895

October 1-2 - Historic Hams and Delectable Dairy

11am -4pm; $10 per person, children under 6 free

Ben Lomond plantation attempted to be a self-sustaining farm.  As much as possible the food needed for the plantation was grown on location.  During the fall all of the food was prepared for storage.  Join site staff with hands-on activities about 19th century food preparation including butter and cheese making, salting and smoking of meat. 

Ben Lomond Historic Site, 10321 Sudley Manor Dr, Manassas, VA 20109, 703-367-7872

October 8, 9, 22, 23 - Bristoe Station Battlefield Guided Tours

11am-3pm, tours leave on the hour, donations accepted

Bristoe Station Battlefield staff and volunteers will provide guided tours of the battlefield. 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 pm. 

Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park, Corner of Iron Brigade Unit Ave and 10th Alabama Way, Bristow, VA 22111, 703-366-3049