A taste of Prince William history offered this holiday season

November 9
Potomac Blockade Boat Tour
10:00 am - 1:00 pm
$30 per person
Cruise along the Potomac River shoreline on Prince William County Department of Historic Preservation’s Potomac Blockade Tour Saturday, Nov. 9. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. 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 sandwiches and departs from Leesylvania State Park in Woodbridge.  Reservations Required.  Call 703-792-4754. $30.

November 16
Revolutionary War Weekend 1776!       
11am- 4pm; FREE
In February of 1776 the 3rd Virginia Regiment was organized out of companies from several local counties including Prince William County.  The troops will muster at Rippon Lodge home of Thomas Blackburn for inspection and to make ready.  Residents are invited to come for the day to see the troops.  Living history demonstrations of both military and civilian life during the American Revolution will take place all day.
Rippon Lodge Historic Site, 15520 Blackburn Road, Woodbridge, 703-499-9812

November 16
Open-Hearth Cooking Class at Brentsville
10am-1pm ; $30 per person, not recommended for children under 12, reservations required
Gear up for the Thanksgiving season by learning the skills of open-hearth cooking.  Join an experienced open-hearth cooking historian and learn the basic skills needed to prepare food over an open fire.  You will learn how to build a fire and will prepare and cook three different dishes.  End the program by enjoying a taste of the food you cooked.  Class will take place in the ca. 1850 Haislip Farmhouse.  $30 per person, not recommended for children under 12 and reservations are required as space is limited.
Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre 12229 Bristow Rd., Bristow, Va. 703-365-7895

December

December 7
A Rippon Lodge Christmas
5pm–8pm; $10 per person, children under 6 free
Take a candlelight tour of Rippon Lodge and experience holiday celebrations from colonial Virginia through WWII.  Visit with Santa in the cabin during your stay.  Tours on the half hour.  Reservations required for candle light tours but not for visiting Santa.  Visits to Santa are free for everyone.  Please dress for the weather; some activities are outdoors. Rippon Lodge Historic Site, 15520 Blackburn Road, Woodbridge, 703-499-9812

December 7
December 8
A Visit From Santa
Saturday, 10am-5pm. Sunday, noon-3pm; FREE
In December of 1862, artist Thomas Nast made one of the first known illustrations of Santa Claus. Santa was shown giving gifts to soldiers in the field at Fredericksburg, Virginia during the American Civil War.  This year, Santa will dust off that old suit he wore back then and make an appearance at
Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre.

Guests can make old-time holiday decorations and Pomander balls with citrus fruit and cloves to take home for decorating their tree or give as gifts.  Pictures with Santa available at $5 for 4x6 or $10 for 8x10

On Sunday, join Historic Faith Ministries at 10 a.m. for a traditional Christian Christmas service at the Union Church.
Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre, 12229 Bristow Rd., Bristow, Va. 20136, 703-792-5618

December 14
Slave Holidays at Ben Lomond                                                                    
5pm-7pm; tours ever 30 minutes $7.00 per person, free for children under six. Advanced reservations are suggested but not required.                                                            Take a candle lit tour of the main house and slave quarter to learn how the enslaved community celebrated the holidays and how they resisted the institution that kept them enslaved. Living history vignettes will allow some of the enslaved workers at Ben Lomond to come to life, giving you a unique perspective into this period of American history.                                   
Ben Lomond Historic Site, 10321 Sudley Manor Dr., Manassas, VA 20109; 703-367-7872.

December 14
Brentsville Holiday Concerts
5 and 6pm Concerts
FREE
Get in the Holiday spirit with an evening of seasonal music at the beautiful and historic Brentsville Union Church.  Two concerts will be performed by the Brentsville District High School Chorus.  Enjoy hot cider and cookies by a warm bonfire. Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre 12229 Bristow Rd., Bristow, Va. 703-365-7895