160th Anniversary of the Patriots Monument

Photograph of the Patriots Monument with flowers around one of the large black iron shells. — An up-close image of the Patriots Monument with flowers around one of the large 200lb shells decorating it's base.
NPS Image

160th Anniversary of the Patriots Monument

Join National Park Service Staff on June 14th, 2025 to commemorate the 160th Anniversary of the Patriots Monument Dedication at Manassas National Battlefield Park. Built by Union soldiers in 1865, the tall, red sandstone monument commemorates the fallen Union soldiers from the battle of First Manassas. On it's white sandstone center stone was carved, "In the Memory of the Patriots Who Fell at Bull Run, July 21, 1861." The architect, stonemason-turned soldier Lt. James McCallum, was asked if the monument and term "Patriots" represented Union or Confederate soldiers. His response was, "all would be regarded as patriots."

This special event will feature several Park Ranger Guided Tours, Living History Demonstrations, a recreation of the Dedication addresses, Jr. Ranger Activities, and Civil War photography demonstrations.See our Schedule of Events listed below!

For more information, check our website in the following weeks as we finalize programming.

Schedule of Events: June 14th, 2025

10:00AM-4:30PM- Stone House (Tour Stop #3) Open
10:00AM-4:00PM- Brawner Farm (Tour Stop #1) Open
10:00AM-4:00PM- Jr. Ranger Station Open
10:00AM-4:00PM- Photographs of the Dedication Display Open
10:00AM-10:30AM- Firing Demonstration
11:00AM-12:00PM- Civil War Photography Demonstration
1:00PM-2:30PM- Recreated Patriots Monument Dedication Ceremony
3:00PM-3:45PM- Henry Hill Walking Tour
4:00PM-4:45PM- Monuments of Henry Hill Walking Tour

"The World Today Attest"

The dedication of the Patriots Monument on June 11, 1865 was a highly anticipated event, as soldiers and civilians flocked to the old Manassas Battlefield to comemorate the sacrafice of fallen soldiers. Military units at the dedication consisted of the 2nd Battalion, 5th Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery, 16th Massachusetts Battery, and 8th Illinois Cavalry. Several officers also attended, namely: Major Generals Orlando B. Willcox, Samuel P. Heintzelman, John G. Parke, John P. Slough, Montgomery C. Meigs, Henry W. Benham, and Brigadier Generals John F. Farnsworth and William Gamble. Notable Washington DC civilians also attended, including: Rev. Dr. Richard McMurdy, J.M. Brodhead, Second Comptroller of the Treasury, and Judge Abram B. Olin, DC District Court.

Once the Patriots Monument was dedicated the group descended upon a second monument, the Groveton Monument. The Groveton Monument was built in the same fashion as the Patriots Monument, but remembered the fallen soldiers of the Second Battle of Manassas, adorned with hundreds of artillery shells.

Arriving at the scene, was Civil War Photographer Alexander Gardner with his entorauge of photographers and equipment. His team, namely William Morris Smith was able to capture several photographs of the dedication including some of the images below!