Sights, sounds, tastes of era at Civil War Weekend in Manassas

They say incorporating all the senses helps learners to engage. If that’s true, visitors during the Manassas Civil War Weekend, August 22-24, will definitely be learning ever so much.

Visitors taking part in this special weekend will relive the past by absorbing the sights, sounds, smells, the feel and even the tastes of what it was like for Manassas residents during the Civil War-era.

For example, there will be sights of horses and encampments, sounds of lecturers and artillery shots, the smell of smoke rising above a burning railcar and the chance for children to touch and play with 19th century games. For adults, there will be bourbon tastings by the rail tracks. Presented by the City of Manassas and Historic Manassas, Inc., visitors will be sufficiently immersed in Civil War history with most events taking place at the Manassas Museum lawn area and at nearby Liberia Plantation.

According to Patty Prince, public affairs specialist, City of Manassas, this annual event grew out of the sesquicentennial (150th anniversary) of the 1861-1865 Civil War commemorations that attracted tens of thousands of visitors to the area from across the country.

“This year’s commemoration brings to life military, civilian and African-American experiences from 150 years ago with a diverse offering of free programs, living history [events] and exhibits,” Prince added. Plus, merchants and restaurants throughout historic downtown Manassas will join in the festivities with special sales, food and entertainment.

Lisa Sievel-Otten, administrative assistant with the city’s department of community and economic development, included another important reminder, “Although we enjoy many of the pleasures of the era during this weekend, we also commemorate the vast loss of life and destruction of the war.”

On August 22, the commemoration kicks off at 7 p.m. on the Manassas Museum lawn with Ed Bearss, chief historian emeritus of the U.S. National Park Service as the keynote speaker.

At 9 p.m., a special tour, Stories in Stone, will take place at Manassas City Cemetery.

On August 23, a Civil War parade through old town begins at 10 a.m. Inside the Manassas Museum (free admission during this special weekend), there is the new exhibit, “Civil War Journey: The Maps and Sketches of Private Robert Sneden,” which is on loan from the Virginia Historical Society; Manassas is its first stop on a national tour.

On the Manassas Museum lawn, living history re-enactors, military drills, artillery demonstrations, period music and drama, a Civil War history mobile, encampments, displays, activities and lectures by key authors and historians are scheduled. There will be lectures on spy activity, battles in the Shenandoah, ladies of the Civil War and important war figures.

At 6 p.m., a commemoration of Jackson’s Raid on the Junction begins with a bourbon tasting and ends with the burning of a mock railroad car at dusk to re-enact Stonewall Jackson’s 1862 raid on the railroad junction.

At Liberia Plantation, located just minutes from old town, there will be tours of the first floor of the 1825-built house, featuring recent restoration work. On the lawn, there will be re-enactor infantry and artillery units, period musical performances, African-American stories and song, children’s activities and food presentations. New features include a quilt exhibit, stories from the Underground Railroad, a period tea and a fashion show. 

On August 24, an interfaith service on the museum lawn begins at 9 a.m. At 3 p.m., a Manassas Symphony concert and ice cream social take place at Harris Pavilion.

According to Doug Horhota, programs coordinator at Manassas Museum, “The weekend is a learning experience. The issues and problems fought over during the conflict helped shape our country’s destiny and continue to influence the present and future.”

Sievel-Otten added, “Visitors have a chance to immerse themselves in the sights, sounds, ideas and even aromas of the Civil War era. The variety of historic interpretations, demonstrations, lectures, games, music and tours bring to life that time in a way no history book can.”

Horhota quipped, “Where else can you play children’s games, listen to music, watch a rail car burn and get some free bourbon?”
There’s no better way than learning through the senses.

The Manassas Museum will be open August 22 and 23 from 9 a.m.-9 p.m., and from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on August 24. Liberia will be open on August 23 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on August 24.

For more information, readers can visit http://www.manassasmuseum.org or call 703-368-1873.