December 18, 2007
Holiday Programs at Two Key Prince William County Historic Sites Take Visitors Back in Time
Prince William County, Virginia -- An out-of-the-ordinary Santa Claus, crafts for ALL ages, hot cider and living history demonstrations were part of Holiday Programs at two of Prince William County’s key historic sites over the weekend.
The Ben Lomond house, located at 10321 Sudley Manor Drive in Manassas, opened its doors December 15-16, 2007 with holiday decorations, photos with late 1800s Mr. and Mrs. Claus, and Civil War living history demonstrations. Santa wore a suit depicted by artist Thomas Nast in 1863, complete with striped pants! Refreshments, tours of the home and children's crafts also were offered.
The Ben Lomond house was used as a Confederate hospital following the First Battle of Manassas. The circa 1832 stone farmhouse was built originally for descendants of Robert “King” Carter, the wealthiest Virginian of the Colonial era. The site is most noted for “graffiti” signatures on the walls left by troops during the Civil War. Four dependency buildings also survived intact, including a slave quarter. The grounds are home to a 5,200 square foot garden of old roses (one of the largest public gardens devoted to antique roses in the United States.). The Ben Lomond house is open May through October on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call (703) 367-7872.
Rippon Lodge, located at 15500 Blackburn Road in Woodbridge, offered tours, refreshments, children's crafts and stories. Garden volunteers led a craft project for adults to create tabletop trees and candle rings out of boxwood from Rippon's grounds.
The original colonial home, built by Richard Blackburn circa 1747, is believed to be the oldest home still standing in Prince William County. George Washington was a frequent visitor. The site also is used for special events and educational, interpretive programs. The lodge is open May through October on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Group tours and event rental space may be scheduled in advance year-round. For more information, call (703) 499-9812.
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For more information on these and other attractions in Prince William County/Manassas, Virginia, or to make hotel reservations right now, please log on to www.visitpwc.com. For a free, new 2008 visitors guide, calendar of events, championship golf guide and pocket map, please call (703) 396-7130 or 1-800-432-1792.
