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.

Friend of Friends Friday: Certificate of Slaves Imported (Evans)

Certificate of Slaves Imported
Evans from Smith Certificate
PWCo Deed Book Z, pg. 150

Prince Wm. County &ct.

Came before me Jas. Smith one of the Justices of the peace for said County Jesse Evans late of Charles County, Maryland and made oath agreeable to law, that he has moved himself and family from Maryland with an intention to settle and become a citizen of Virginia, and that he has brought with him his negroes not with a design to sell and dispose of them, or in any respect to evade the laws of this State made to prevent the importation of Slaves.  

That his Negroes are, viz.,

Four Men. Wary, Dick, Charles & Lucus

Three Women. Monimia, Fanny, & Charity

Three Children. Boy. Adam, Boy. Lawrence, Girl. Melia.

Also five slaves the property of John Lomax, an Infant for whom the said Evans is Guardian, and who has also removed with him from Maryland to Virginia, viz.

One Wench. Kett, and four Children. Henry, George, Nace & Cloe.

Given under my hand this twenty third day of December 1794.

James Smith

At a Court cont. & held for Prince Wm. County the 8th day of Aug. 1797.

This certificate of slaves imported by Jesse Evans was presented to the Court & ordered to be recorded.

Teste,  John Williams  Cl. Cur.

PWCo Items: Manassas is still pushing ahead... (1871)

Alexandria Gazette (Va.)
12 June 1871

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, VA. -- Correspondence of the Fairfax News.

Manassas, May 27. -- Manassas is still pushing ahead and is about three times the place it was in 1869. A new Baptist Church is now going up and is nearly completed, in the grove belonging to Mrs. E. E. Johnson. The Presbyterians and Episcopalians intend to build churches during the coming summer. The Episcopalians and Baptists, at present, worship in the new Methodist Episcopal Church.

Several new buildings have gone up during the Spring and Winter, and among them a fine brick freight depot, and we are promised a brick passenger depot during the Summer.

Our public school system is in full blast. We have a Graded school under able teachers, and it is the intention of the Trustees to have a school where any Academical branches can be taught.

At the election Thursday last, this Township voted a 4 1/2 mill tax, and a poll tax, of 50 cts for public schools; every Township in the county carried the tax, except Coles, where it was lost by one vote. In Manassas, where the Trustees asked for the heaviest tax, the tax received the heaviest vote. Anson Bangs, of New York city, who is probably the largest owner of real estate in the county, happened to be in Dumfries at the time of the election, and not only favored the school tax, but offered $100 extra from his private purse.

The somewhat famous "Lewis Robinson suit," brought by a colored man against four of the late officers of the county, appointed under military authority, were tried at the May Circuit Court, and resulted in the discomfiture of Lewis. The suits were nine in number, and were brought for damages to the amount of $17,000, against Messrs. Baldwin and Ketchum, late magistrates, Mr. Herrick, a deputed constable, and Mr. Round, late Commonwealth's Attorney. His Honor Judge Keith instructed the jury that it would be a violation of their oaths to give the slightest weight to political or sectional prejudice, and if he thought any juror would be influenced by such motives, he would send him to jail. These trials have been an expense to the county, and have done nothing for the county but retard immigration and keep out capital.

The crops in this section are looking the finest I have seen for years.

M. J. 

 

Wedding Wednesday: Cecil / Bruch (1917)

Richmond Times Dispatch (Va)
19 April 1917

SOCIETY

A wedding of much interest to society here was that of Miss Marion Russelle Cecil, daughter of Colonel G. R. Cecil, U.S.A., and Mrs. Cecil, to Alfred E. Bruch, son of Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Bruch, of Cleveland. The ceremony took place yesterday afternoon at 4:30 o'clock at the home of the bride's parents in Washington, with the Rev. C. Ernest Smith, of the St. Thomas's Church, officiating. The wedding was celebrated in the sun-parlor which was decorated in white lilacs, roses and lilies, against a background of palms and Southern smilax, and the bridal party passed to the altar through arches of smilax and white blossoms. A stringed orchestra played the wedding music.

The bride entered with her father, who gave her away. Her wedding dress was of white satin trimmed in chiffon and rose point lace worn by her mother at her wedding, and the skirt was finished with side panels of pearls and iridescent beads. Her long court train was lined with cloth of silver and embroidered in pearls, and her veil of illusion was of tulle edged with rosepoint lace. She carried a shower bouquet of orchids and lilies of the valley. The bride's only ornament was a brooch of diamonds, the groom's gift.

Miss Nancy Leary Patton, of Richmond, who was the bride's maid of honor and only attendant, wore a French dress of chartreuse Georgette crepe over gold, embroidered in blue and gold beads, with a picture hat to match. Her flowers were Ophelia roses. Edward Bruch, of Cleveland, was best man.

An informal reception followed the ceremony, after which Mr. and Mrs. Bruch left for a honeymoon trip to New York and the West. They will later motor back to their country estate "Ben Lomond," near Manassas.

Sunday's Obituary: Col. Daniel Kincheloe

Alexandria Gazette (Va.)
5 November 1855

Col. Daniel Kincheloe died in Clarksburg, Va., last week, in the 72d year of his age. He was a native of Prince William county. In the war of 1812, he was a captain in the recruiting service, and in after years served nine sessions in the legislature of the State.

Newspaper Tidbit: G. C. Round's "Interesting Two Relics" (1911)

Richmond-Times Dispatch (Va.)
17 December 1911

George C. Round, of Prince William county, has in his possession two interesting relics of the early days of that county. One is the keystone of the first financial institution founded in Prince William county, the Bank of Dumfries, located at old Dumfries, near Quantico. The slab bears the inscription, "William Waite Fecit. 1775." The other relic is a slab from the first courthouse in Prince William county, which was built in 1731 at Dumfries, which was then the county seat.

Friend of Friends Friday: Jim or James Graham (1846)

Alexandria Gazette (Va.)
20 July 1846

$50 REWARD! -- Ran off, on the night of the 16th instant, from the subscriber, living near Buckland, Prince William County, Va., negro man JIM, or JAMES GRAHAM, as he calls himself. Jim is about twenty-one or two years of age, below the middle height, round full face, and stout, inclined to corpulency -- features somewhat contracted, nose inclining upwards. If taken in this County, and secured in jail so that I get him, I will pay twenty-five dollars -- if in other parts of the State, thirty dollars; and out of the State, fifty dollars.

T. M. WASHINGTON

Near Buckland, Prince William County, Va.
jy 20-eotf