Journey Through Hallowed Ground in Prince William County, Virginia

Part of the Journey Through Hallowed Ground Partnership, a four-state trail dedicated to 400 years of history, the state of Virginia holds the title for the most major Civil War battles. In commemoration of the Civil War Sesquicentennial, Prince William County has established a Civil War Heritage trail to honor the long and impressive list of historical conflicts.

Along the trail visitors relive some of the war’s most famous battles at forts, museums, state parks, national battlefields, and historic farmhouses that once served as field hospitals. Educational events along with lectures and reenactments follow the tour which is detailed in a colorful brochure with historic sites and a travel map.

Manassas National Battlefield and Marine Corps Museum

The Manassas National Battlefield pays tribute to two of the most intense and moving Civil War battles. Its first battle was observed by picnicking spectators while the second bloody battle marked a Confederate win earning continued support as they moved northward. The park's visitor center provides maps with walking and driving tours along with docents and park rangers that offer guided tours. On the top of each hour, a film titled, Manassas: The End of Innocence, details a moving account of some of the war’s most significant battles.

To honor some of our more recent veterans, the Marine Corps Museum, built in 2006, promises to be a world-wide attraction centered on both a historical and architectural platform. In a pyramid design that resembles the flag-raising heroes of Iwo Jima, the museum rests inside a forested 135-arce vista with 118,000 square feet of interactive exhibits. Attention to detail is paramount as the museum pays tribute to the Marines and the U.S. Navy, partners in battles from the initiation of the Marines in 1900 to wars inside Iraq and Afghanistan. Life-size models of fighter planes hang from the ceiling while realistic exhibits bring visitors up close to all aspects of war from fighting gear to battling inclement weather.

Visiting Manassas

County residents have embraced historic towns preserving the architectural heritage and landscapes. Downtown Manassas brings together the charm of an old fashioned rail town where many of its late Victorian era homes and buildings now serve as museums, boutiques, art galleries, antique shops, and restaurants. Pick up a driving and walking tour brochure inside the Manassas Museum for a complete guide on shops, dining and lodging.

For a taste of Creole cooking Okra Restaurant is the local favorite. And for the best Tapas in town La Capilla restaurant offers top notch South American cuisine inside a romantic historic church. In nearby Woodridge set your sights on Dixie Bones for the best southern style fall-off-the-bone barbeque, and an old-fashioned burger and malt at Silver Diner. Lovers of the grape will enjoy a trip to the Winery at La Grange in Haymarket (Manassas suburb) for samples of their fine wine.

Out in the Parks

Wooden rail fences and grazing thoroughbreds line country roads while highways roll through waves of forested mountains. The region owns two national parks, two state parks, and more than 50 county and municipal parks, wildlife refuges and preserved wetlands. Inside Prince William Forest Park the North Valley Trail is an easy three mile hike where hikers appear dwarfed by a ceiling of towering trees in a 17,000-acre park filled with multiple varieties of native plants and animals.

The Hylton Performing Arts Center (opened in 2010) soars nine stories high with a stunning mix of copper, glass and masonry hosting local, national and international art groups and performers. Inside, a sweeping staircase and open-air lobby welcome community, corporate and social events while Merchant Hall seats more than a thousand with twenty-seven boxes divided on three levels.

Just 30 minutes form our country’s capital; the county is a blueprint for urban and historic renewal dedicated to ordinary people, past and present, who have shaped this country. Stargazers and daydreamers will enjoy dozens of parks throughout the region while shoppers flock to the specialty shops in Old Town Manassas. Discover the old and the new inside a trail of heroes in Prince William County.

For more information
Prince William County/ Manassas Convention & Visitors Bureau, 800-432-1792, VisitPWC.com

Journey Through Hallowed Ground, 540-882-4927, JTHG.org