Prince William historic sites are now open for the season

Prince William County Historic Preservation Division Sites are now open with an interesting mix of history programs from teas and boat rides to tours, talks and sheep shearing.

Brentsville Courthouse, Ben Lomond and Rippon Lodge are open for the season.  Tours are from 11am-4pm; Thursday through Monday.  The sites are closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Call the individual sites for specific information.  Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park provides guided tours on the 2nd and 4th weekend of every month beginning in May. 

May 4
Historic Preservation Talk and Hard Hat Tour of the Jail
1pm - 3pm; fee, reservations required, not for children under 16
This program will introduce the participant to the idea of “historic preservation” and cover such topics as what makes a building worth saving, examples of saved buildings in the county, and why historic preservation is important, especially for the environment.  Visitors will have an opportunity to go inside the jail during the restoration process focusing on the masonry and if possible the archaeological side of preservation as well, ex., Dovetail.
Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre, 703-365-7895

May 9
Lecture: Doughboys off to the Great War
7pm; Free, donations accepted
Area historian, Glenn Hyatt, will present a history of the local men who joined the 2nd regiment of the 29th Infantry Division, a unit with linage going back to the Stonewall Brigade of Virginia during the Civil War.  Glen Hyatt, will trace this lineage of their service from the Civil War to WWI.
Old Manassas Courthouse, 703-792-4754

May 10
Tour: Buckland During the Civil War
7pm; Free, donations accepted
Join Buckland resident David Blake, for a unique lecture and tour of historic Buckland. Dress for the weather, no pets please. Not appropriate for children under 12.  Registered attendees will receive confirmations with meeting details.  Space is limited. Call for reservations.
Historic Preservation 17674 Main Street, Dumfries, VA. 703-792-4754

May 11-12    
Mother’s Day Tours at all Prince William County HPD Sites
11am - 4pm; fee but MOTHERS FREE
In honor of Mother’s Day, all mothers that visit a Prince William County Historic Preservation Site on Mother’s Day weekend will experience a complimentary tour of the site.  If your mom likes history or some stories that would give television drama a run for their money, treat Mom to a visit of a historic site.  Both she and you will enjoy the visit!
Rippon Lodge Historic Site, 703-499-9812
Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre, 703-365-7895
Ben Lomond Historic Site, 703-367-7872

May 11,12,25,26 and June 8,9,22,23
Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park 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 3pm.  Dress for the weather and wear comfortable walking shoes. No pets please.
Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park, 703-366-3049

May 11 and May 25
Potomac Blockade Boat Tour
10:00 am - 1:00 pm,  fee, reservations required.
Cruise along the Potomac River shoreline and view sites that were critical to the Confederate forces’ successful blockade of Washington D.C. from September 1861 through March 1862. Local historians will discuss the significance of the Blockade and of the gun batteries and camps that supported the Confederate efforts. The cruise will include the preserved batteries at Freestone Point and Possum Nose, as well as Evansport and Shipping Point.  Tour includes lunch and departs from Leesylvania State Park in Woodbridge.
Call 703-792-4754 for reservations.

May 16, 2013
Lecture:  Investigating a Historic House in Virginia
7pm, Free, donations accepted
Historian, Dr. Dennis Pogue, will give an engaging talk on the tools and methods that historians and architects use to look at historic houses to determine their age, use and their evolution over time.  Dr. Pogue will use his vast experience in working with private and public homes across the country to explain how looking at the history of home can unlock stories of the people who once called it home.  Investigating the history of a home gives us a window to the lives and social customs of our ancestors.
Ferlazzo Auditorium, 15941 Donald Curtis Dr, Woodbridge, VA. 703-792-4754

May 18
Scout Day 11am - 4pm
Calling all Brownie and Junior Girl Scouts!  Spend the day at Rippon Lodge and earn Letterboxer, Making Games or Playing the Past and Gardener.  The requirements for all four badges will be covered while you are here.  All Scouts will get a Rippon Lodge patch for their participation.  Reservations required.  Discounted registration for whole troops. Fee.
Rippon Lodge Historic Site, 703-499-9812

May 18
Sheep Shearing and Animal Husbandry Day at Historic Brentsville
11am-3pm; fee per person
During the 19th century and early 20th centuries, Brentsville and the surrounding areas were home to many farms and families raising sheep.  Wool was a significant resource and many farmers earned their living raising sheep along with feed crops.  Come learn the importance of sheep and animal husbandry in Prince William County.  Hands on activities include modern sheep shearing, carding wool, and simple spinning demonstrations.
Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre, 703-365-7895

May 18                              
Garden Tea at the Ben Lomond Antique Rose
Garden                              
1pm–3pm; fee                  
Celebrate the arrival of spring by spending a wonderful afternoon in the antique rose garden at Ben Lomond enjoying historic tea.  Price of admission includes tea, light refreshments, and a special talk about roses and spring flowers in the largest antique rose garden in the Washington D.C. metro area.  Reservations required. Spaces are limited and will fill up fast.  The main house will be open to tours after tea.
Ben Lomond Historic Site, 703-367-7872

May 23
Lecture: Operation Market Garden
7pm; Free, donations accepted
On September 17, 1944 thousands of paratroopers descended from the sky behind enemy lines. Their goal: to secure to bridges across the rivers in Holland so that the Allied army could advance. If it went as planned, Operation Market Garden should have ended the war by Christmas 1944. Unfortunately this daring plan didn’t have the expected outcome. Military historian, Ron Mayer will cover this flawed operation describing how, when, where and why the Operation failed.
Old Manassas Courthouse, 703-792-4754

May 25                                      
Wildlife Walk at Bristoe Station Battlefield
9am – 11am, fee
Bristoe Station Battlefield is home to a complex meadow ecosystem.  Join outdoor experts on a guided walk of the battlefield.  Learn about the beneficial wildlife especially the birds and butterflies that call this ecosystem home.  Learn to identify the plants that these birds and butterflies need for food and shelter.  Bring binoculars. The tour departs from the kiosk in the parking lot at Iron Brigade Unit Ave and 10th Alabama Way.  Where comfortable walking shoes and dress for the weather.  No pets please.
Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park, 703-366-3049

To learn more about historic preservation in Prince William County or to become a volunteer go to http://www.pwcgov.org/historicpreservation o call 703-792-4754 or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).