PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
For More Information, Please Contact:
The Media Relations Manager
Prince William County/Manassas CVB
703-396-7130 (ext. 14) info@visitpwc.com |
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January 7, 2008
New Civil War Trails Markers and Updated Brochures Help Visitors and Residents Discover Why History Loves Company in Prince William County and Manassas, Virginia
 The Prince William County/Manassas, Virginia Convention and Visitors Bureau www.visitpwc.com and Prince William County’s Division of Historic Preservation announced today that Civil War Trails, Incorporated has installed new, interpretive markers, pointing to key historic sites in the premier destination.
The new markers are located at:
- The McLean House Site in the Yorkshire area of Manassas, at Centreville Road (Route 28) and Yorkshire Lane. The home of Wilmer McLean served as the headquarters for Confederate General P.G.T. Beauregard on July 18, 1861, when the Battle of Blackburn’s Ford erupted. A few days later, the First Battle of Manassas broke out. The home sustained damage during the surrender of General Robert E. Lee’s Army. McLean’s plight gave rise to the adage, “the war started in his front lawn and ended in his front parlor.”
- Williams Ordinary on southbound Rt. 1, just north of the Main Street split in Dumfries. Confederates camps were evacuated in March 1862 and the town remained in Union hands the rest of the war. A raid on December 27, 1862 by Confederate Gen. JEB Stuart destroyed many buildings.
- Mill House Museum, 413 Mill Street in Occoquan. The Confederate cavalry raided this waterfront town in December 1862, and Union General Joseph Hooker’s troops built a 300-foot-long pontoon bridge as he moved north following General Lee toward Gettysburg in 1863.
- Signal Hill off Signal View Drive across from the entrance to Signal Hill Park in Manassas Park. A Confederate observation post warned of the Union effort to turn the flank of the Southern position during the initial stages of the First Battle of Manassas. It was the first use of wig-wag signals during wartime. A memorial cites first telecommunication on a battlefield.
Prince William County’s Division of Historic Preservation paid for installation of three of the markers through a “Preserve America” federal grant that the Division applied for and was awarded in 2006. Site Manager Rob Orrison says more signs are expected to be posted this year at locations including Mitchell’s Ford at Yorkshire Elementary School and the site of the Battle of Kettle Run in Nokesville.
“Prince William County has a very rich Civil War story to tell. These signs will be part of a Civil War site tour from Thoroughfare Gap in the west to the Potomac River in the east. These signs will draw tourists to other sites within the County, and the Cities of Manassas and Manassas Park, so they can gain a better understanding of how this region was affected by four years of war and occupation,” explained Orrison, who may be contacted through Historic Preservation at 703-792-4754.
Historic Occoquan, Inc. researched and paid for the Civil War Trails sign adjacent to the Mill House Museum.
Civil War Trails, a multi-state program that identifies, interprets and creates driving tours of Civil War sites, has published a new version of the brochure Northern Virginia: Crossroads of Conflict featuring 30 new sites. Sponsored by ten Northern Virginia localities, the brochure details the Northern Virginia Civil War Trail, one of five trails under the statewide Virginia Civil War Trails. The Civil War Trails program is administered by a non-profit corporation and supported by convention and visitors bureaus, local communities, state tourism offices and state departments of transportation.
“These new markers and the updated map-guide will help history-minded travelers as they discover the rich history of Prince William County and the entire Northern Virginia region,” said Mitch Bowman, executive director of Civil War Trails.
The CVB is the destination marketing organization for Prince William County/Manassas, Virginia. For a free “Northern Virginia: Crossroads of Conflict” brochure, or a free Prince William County/Manassas pocket map, visitors guide, calendar of events and championship golf guide, please contact the CVB at 1-800-432-1792. To make your hotel reservation right now, please log on to www.visitpwc.com.
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