National Parks:
Manassas National Battlefield Park

Manassas, Virginia -- Manassas National Battlefield Park was established in 1940 to preserve the scene of two major Civil War battles. A few miles north of the prized railroad junction of Manassas, Virginia, and along the meandering stream called Bull Run, this otherwise peaceful countryside bore witness to clashes between Northern and Southern armies in 1861 and 1862.

Today the battlefield park lets visitors explore the historic terrain where men fought and died for their beliefs nearly a century-and-a-half ago.

PROJECTS THROUGH PARTNERING

• STUART'S HILL LANDSCAPE RESTORATION PROJECT -- In partnership with the Smithsonian Institution, the park is working to restore more than 100 acres of historic landscape and wetlands. Before this land was added to the park, a development company began alterations for a mixed-use development, drastically altering the landscape. This project will restore conditions to approximate those of the war period.
• MANNASSAS NATIONAL BATTLEFIED BYPASS STUDY -- In response to the conflicting uses of roads within the park, Congress directed the study of road alternatives. This study, conducted jointly by the Federal Highway Administration and the National Park Service, will analyze the impacts of relocating Routes 29 and 234. The final product is a major step toward improving the visitor experience and protecting the park's resources.

RESTORATION OF SIGNIFICANT HISTORIC STRUCTURES

In an effort to enhance the interpretive program of the park and permanently protect its historic structures, Manassas is restoring three important buildings in the park. The Thornberry House, dating from before the Civil War, is an important landmark that witnessed both battles and served as a field hospital. One of the children who lived in the house, Laura Thornberry, later would describe the vivid pictures of the battles and their aftermaths.

The Henry House, built in the 1870s by the son of Judith Henry, has been an important landmark on the battlefield and was the first site museum. The Henry House will become the park's discovery center and will help school children and families explore the stories of the battlefield.

Finally, the park will install a new high-tech heating and cooling system in Stone House. This landmark has served as a beacon to travelers on the local roads, to soldiers who fought in both battles, and to visitors who have come to the battlefield for over a century.

NEW EXHIBITS TO BETTER UNDERSTAND OUR PAST

The three buildings described above, and many other sites, stories, and sounds from around the battlefield are now featured in a new film shown in the refurbished visitor center theater. "Manassas: End of Innocence" was directed by academy award winner Ben Burtt and narrated by actor Richard Dreyfuss. Shown in the high definition digital format, with surround sound, this film is already being described as a classic.

After viewing this film, visitors will soon be able to explore the newly restored historic buildings. Visitors may also see artifacts depicted in the film, such as the portrait of Dr. Isaac Henry which was hanging on the wall of Henry House when Mrs. Judith Henry was killed. Visitors may view the coat worn by Charles Norris, the seventeen-year-old cadet from the Virginia Military Institute, who was killed in First Manassas---including its bullet hole.

And, visitors may browse the recently expanded bookstore in the Henry Hill Visitor Center, likely the largest store for Civil War history books in the Washington, DC, area.

Source: National Park Service