Prince William County and Manassas, Virginia Launch Civil War Sesquicentennial Commemoration

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va., March 18 /PRNewswire/ --  Prince William County and the City of Manassas will hold more than 100 events over the next five years to commemorate  the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War, the Prince William County/Manassas Sesquicentennial Committee  announced today. The first major battle began in Prince William County on July 21, 1861 along Bull Run resulted in a surprising Confederate victory and indicated a long, bloody and costly conflict. The four year commemoration will include educational opportunities, living history, exhibits, seminars, concerts and interpretive events.  

The Sesquicentennial tributes began in January 2010, with a presentation by Gunnery Sgt. Thomas E. Williams of the United States Marine Corps Historical Company on the United States Marines involvement at Harpers Ferry, which resulted in a remarkable confederate victory. Scheduled for March 21, 2010 is the "Spring Drill Day", taking place at the Manassas National Battlefield Park where audiences can experience the sights and sounds of muskets, bayonets and the firing of the 10 pounder Parrot Gun in the Henry House yard. On March 25, a presentation on the importance of the Centreville Railroad will be held at the Old Manassas Courthouse at the intersection of Grant and Lee at 7:00 p.m.

A major ceremony, which will take place at the Manassas National Battlefield on July 21, 2011, will feature nationally-renowned speakers and a re-creation of the 1911 Peace Jubilee on the Manassas courthouse steps, as well as living history and hands-on demonstrations, Civil War 3-D photography and more. Other events will continue throughout 2013, including concerts at the new Hylton Center for the Performing Arts, a Peace Concert at Jiffy Lube Live, and outdoor Civil War commemorations. Events over the next five years will include: drama, living history, exhibits, re-enactments, symposia, equestrian events, concerts, tours, demonstrations and educational initiatives.

"The community has worked dutifully to preserve the heritage, to educate new generations, and to entertain," said Sharon Cavileer, interim director of the Prince William County/Manassas Convention & Visitors Bureau.

According to Sesquicentennial Committee chairman Brendan Hanafin, the group has been working for more than two years to carefully plan events that " protect, preserve and promote our heritage to the nation."

A list of the events is available online at www.visitpwc.com, www.pwcgov.org/historicsites, www.manassascity.org. To learn about local accommodations, places to eat and other great activities to explore while in Prince William County/Manassas, visit www.visitpwc.com.

The Prince William County/Manassas Sesquicentennial Committee includes:  City of Manassas, Manassas Museum System, Historic Manassas Inc., Virginia Civil War Events, Prince William County (PWC), The PWC/Manassas Convention and Visitors Bureau, PWC Public Schools, PWC Historical Commission, PWC Preservation Foundation, National Park Service-Manassas National Battlefield Park, PWC Chamber of Commerce, Virginia State Parks-Leesylvania, National Museum of the Marine Corps, The Town of Occoquan, Buckland, and the Hylton Center for the Performing Arts.

SOURCE Prince William County & Manassas Convention and Visitors Bureau

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