Prince William County slates June history programs

June programs and open days at Prince William County Historic Preservation Division sites:

Ben Lomond Historic Site, Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre and Rippon Lodge Historic Site are open for tours Thursday-Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tours begin on the hour and are $5 per person over the age of six.  Cosed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.  Call the sites for more information.

Rippon Lodge Historic Site, 15520 Blackburn Road, Woodbridge, VA 22192, 703-499-9812.
Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre, 12229 Bristow Rd., Bristow, Va. 20136, 703-365-7895
Ben Lomond Historic Site, 10321 Sudley Manor Dr, Manassas VA 20109, 703-367-7872.

June 21
Dragon Flies!
9am; $5 Suggested Donation
The first day of summer is during the high point of dragon fly season in Northern Virginia.  Join us on a guided tour of Julie J. Metz Neabsco Creek Wetlands Preserve as we go in search of dragonflies.  Bring binoculars and guide books.  Please dress for the weather and wear comfortable walking shoes.  You may get your feet wet if it has rained before this event.  No pets please.  Tour will begin in the parking lot at the kiosk.  Please carpool.
Julie J. Metz Neabsco Creek Wetlands Preserve, 15875 Neabsco Road, Woodbridge, VA 703-499-9812

June 23-27
American Girl Doll Camp
9 am – Noon. $150 per child, ages 8-12
Do you love the American Girl Historical Character Dolls? Come spend a week at Rippon Lodge Historic Site and learn all about your favorite historical dolls and what life was like during the time period they lived. Rippon Lodge is the perfect setting to discover and explore these wonderful characters. Make butter with Felicity, be a reporter with Kit and more. Activities will include; crafts, games, history, music, snacks and much more. Registration required.
Rippon Lodge Historic Site, 15520 Blackburn Road, Woodbridge, VA 22192, 703-499-9812.

June 26
Lecture: A Spy for the Union: The Life and Execution of Timothy Webster
7pm; Free, donations accepted
Timothy Webster, best known for his work as a spy for the Union during the Civil War, began his career as a New York City policeman. Webster was involved in a number of cases but perhaps his biggest contribution to National Security was exposing a plot to assassinate President-elect Abraham Lincoln in 1861.  For a time he was considered the Union’s top spy, until in 1862 when he was betrayed by fellow spies and became the first Union spy executed in the Civil War.  Author and historian Corey Recko will give a detailed overview of the life of Timothy Webster and have copies of his book available for sale.
Old Manassas Courthouse, 9248 Lee Avenue, Manassas, VA 703-792-4754.

June 28
“The Burning of Washington”, Bicentennial of the War of 1812 Bus Tour
8am-6pm; $80 per person
To commemorate the Bicentennial of the War of 1812, join noted War of 1812 historian and author Ralph Eshelman as we follow in the footsteps of the British invasion of 1814.  This invasion led to the burning and destruction of Washington D.C. in the summer of 1814.  Tour will cover the British invasion of the Chesapeake, the Battle of Bladensburg and capture of Washington, D.C.  Transportation and lunch included.  Tour departs from Rippon Lodge Historic Site, reservations required.
Rippon Lodge Historic Site, 15520 Blackburn Road, Woodbridge, VA 22192, 703-499-9812.

June 28
Baseball at Brentsville
10am–4pm; $5 per person for tours
Enjoy baseball as this community has for generations! Watch as Prince William County Firefighters and Police Officers challenge each other in an exciting game of sport! Bring your bat and glove and join in on the fun. Historic games will also be played throughout the day. Join the Brentsville community for a day filled with fun and food. Bring a picnic lunch or we will have hot dogs and peanuts to purchase.  Tours of the historic buildings will be given on the hour. (PD and FD will be playing softball)
Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre, 12229 Bristow Rd., Bristow, Va. 20136, 703-365-7895

June 28                                                                                                                  
Potomac River Blockade Boat Tour                                                            
$40 per person, 10am-1pm, includes lunch, reservations required.                     
Cruise along the Potomac River shoreline and view sites that were critical to the Confederate successful blockade of Washington D.C. from September 1861 through March 1862.  The cruise will include the preserved batteries at Freestone Point and Possum Nose, as well as Evansport and Shipping Point.  Tours include lunch and departs from Leesylvania State Park in Woodbridge.  For reservations call 703-792-4754.

June 29
Historic Sundays at Brentsville Union Church
11am- 12pm FREE
Brentsville Union Church was built in 1870 and served the Brentsville community for over 100 years.  Today the country church has been restored and serves as a glimpse into life of the 19th century.  Come learn about the practices of faith that were once held here and how important churches were to society and local communities.  Program conducted in partnership with Historic Faith Ministries, a non-profit living history organization focusing on Victorian period customs and spirituality.  Program begins at 11a.m. and is FREE to the public.  Tours offered after the program for $5.00.
Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre 12229 Bristow Rd., Bristow, Va. 703-365-7895

Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park Tours
June 28-29
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Tours leave on the hour – donations encouraged.
Bristoe Station Battlefield staff and volunteers will provide guided tours of the hallowed grounds that contain camps, cemeteries, and battlefields. Learn about Camp jones and the two battles that took place in 1862 and 1863. Tours begin on the hour and depart from the kiosk in the parking lot on Iron Brigade Unit Avenue. The last tour leaves at 3PM. Please dress for the weather and wear comfortable walking shoes. Insect repellant is encouraged. No pets please. Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park, located off of Iron Brigade Unit Ave., Bristow, VA. 703-366-3049.