Special events, tours, and living history July 19-20 at Manassas Battlefield

Manassas National Battlefield Park will commemorate the 153rd anniversary of the First Battle of Manassas on July 19 with special events, tours, and living history demonstrations. 

The public is invited to take this opportunity to visit the battlefield and become acquainted with the dramatic events that helped shape the early course of the Civil War.

On Saturday, July 19, park historians will offer special guided tours highlighting sites significant to the First Manassas battle.  These will include a tour of the Stone Bridge area at 9:30 a.m., a Matthews Hill tour at 11 a.m, a Sudley Springs tour at noon, a Portici tour at 2 p.m., and a tour of the Chinn Ridge area at 4 p.m.  Each of these ranger-guided programs will run about 60-90 minutes. 

In addition, park interpreters will conduct guided walking tours of Henry Hill, the scene of the heaviest action, at 1 and 3 p.m. 

Throughout Saturday and Sunday, July 19 and 20, living history demonstrations on Chinn Ridge will provide visitors with an opportunity to learn about the experiences of the soldiers who fought at First Manassas. 

Musketry and artillery firing demonstrations will also be conducted during both days at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. 

On Saturday, July 19, former park historian Don Johnson will present about a 45-minute lecture on the subject of his latest book, Thirteen Months at Manassas/Bull Run, covering the story of the two major battles fought at Manassas. 

The lecture will be held in the Visitor Center auditorium at 3 p.m.  Following the program, the author will greet visitors and sign books in the atrium adjoining the Visitor Center bookstore.

The park entrance fee ($3 per adult, age 16 and older) covers admission to the battlefield for three days. There are no additional fees for anniversary events.  For more information, call the Visitor Center at 703-361-1339.