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Living historians fire a cannon on Henry Hill during a battle anniversary at the park.
NPS
Join park staff and volunteers for the 164th Anniversary of the Second Battle of Manassas on August 28th-30th!
This year's anniversary events will include:
Ranger Programs/talks
Family-friendly Activities
Firing Demonstrations
Tactical Demonstrations
This year, our event falls on the same dates as the battle!
*Out of concern for the safety of all, events are subject to alteration or cancellation due to weather.
Friday, August 28th
Programming for this day focuses on the 164th anniversary of the opening engagement of Second Manassas at Brawner Farm and includes an overview of the battle.
The Second Battle of Manassas was a large and complex conflict, spanning miles of terrain. Numerous officers and soldiers made critical decisions that shaped the outcome. In this interactive and visual presentation of how the battle unfolded, explore the command choices made during the fight. (Henry Hill Visitor Center)
Join a park ranger for a walk on Henry Hill to learn more about the Second Battle of Manassas in 1862. (Meets outside back doors of the Henry Hill Visitor Center.)
Join a park ranger at the location where the Second Battle of Manassas began to discover more about the initial clash on the evening of August 28, 1862. During this intense opening fight, participants faced a one in three chance of being shot, in what was later described as a fight with “no maneuvering and very little tactics.” (Tour stop 1. Meet at the house, not the parking lot.)
Jr. Ranger Station (10:00AM-4:30PM)Stop by our Junior Ranger Station in the Visitor Center atrium throughout the day to do crafts and family-friendly activities with park staff!
Brawner Farm Open (9:00AM-5:00PM)Visit the Brawner Farm Interpretive Center to learn more about the Second Battle of Manassas and chat with park staff. (Tour stop 1. Exhibits inside the house, grounds are open sunrise to sunset.)
Stone House Open (10:00AM-4:30PM)Visit the Stone House, one of three structures that witnessed the Civil War left in the park and learn more about how it was used as a house, a hospital, and even a hotel in the 20th century! (Tour Stop 3)
Saturday, August 29th
Programming on Saturday revolves around both special programming and living history throughout the day focused on the action of both August 29th and 30th.
The Second Battle of Manassas was a large and complex conflict, spanning miles of terrain. Numerous officers and soldiers made critical decisions that shaped the outcome. In this interactive and visual presentation of how the battle unfolded, explore the command choices made during the fight. (Henry Hill Visitor Center)
Join living historians and park staff for a chance to experience the sights, smells, and sounds of the Civil War during this firing demonstration! After the program, living historians will be available to discuss weapons technology and life in the Civil War. (Tour Stop 1, Behind the Brawner Farmhouse.)
Join living historians and park staff for a chance to experience the sights, smells, and sounds of the Civil War during this firing demonstration! After the program, living historians will be available to discuss weapons technology and life in the Civil War. (Tour Stop 1, Behind the Brawner Farmhouse.)
Join a ranger at the site of a rare and harrowing bayonet charge made by the Brigade of Cuvier Grover during the Second Battle of Manassas on the afternoon of August 29th. Learn about the strategy of August 29th and how this charge marks a change in that strategy. This tour covers a lot of distance over rooted and rocky terrain and may not be suitable for those with mobility concerns.
Parking is limited at the starting location of the tour, but there is ample parking down Featherbed Lane at the Deep Cut (Tour Stop 7).
(Begins at Tour Stop 6)
Join members of the 5th New York Living History group for a wreath laying ceremony and a reading of names at the monument. The 5th New York Infantry suffered some of the highest casualties among Union regiments during the Second Battle of Manassas. (Tour Stop 9, 5th New York Monument)
4:00PM: Chinn Ridge Tactical Demo Join park staff and living historians from the 1st Section & the Liberty Rifles on Chinn Ridge as they present a unique blend of storytelling and demonstration. This program will tell the story of Union efforts to forestall Longstreet’s Wing of the Army of Northern Virginia on the afternoon of August 30, 1862, through the actions of the 5th Maine Battery and the 88th Pennsylvania Infantry. This will be a firing demonstration, so take caution if you have sensitive members of your party.
IMPORTANT PARKING INSTRUCTIONS: Please arrive by 3:45pm to the visitor viewing area at the Fletcher Webster Monument. For historic weapons safety, the trail access to the program area will be limited from the Chinn Ridge Parking lot (Tour Stop 10) after 3:45pm. After 3:45pm any arrivals should park along the Chinn Ridge driveway at the signed location and use the marked trail as an alternate access to the viewing area.
Jr. Ranger Station (10:00AM-4:30PM)Stop by our Junior Ranger Station in the Visitor Center atrium throughout the day to do crafts and family-friendly activities with park staff!
Dogan House Open (10:00AM-4:00PM)Visit the Dogan House where park volunteers are on hand to talk about the story of widow Lucinda Dogan and her children, whose home was right at the center of the action during the battle. Stop by and hear more about her story. (Tour Stop 8)
Brawner Farm Open (9:00AM-5:00PM)Visit the Brawner Farm Interpretive Center to learn more about the Second Battle of Manassas and chat with park staff. (Tour stop 1. Exhibits inside the house, grounds are open sunrise to sunset.)
Stone House Open (10:00AM-4:30PM)Visit the Stone House, one of three structures that witnessed the Civil War left in the park and learn more about how it was used as a house, a hospital, and even a hotel in the 20th century! (Tour Stop 3)
Sunday, August 30th
Programming on Sunday highlights the fighting that happened 164 years ago at both the Deep Cut and Chinn Ridge.
Join a park ranger and follow in the footsteps of two Confederate soldiers in the Palmetto Sharpshooters, Corporal James J. Palmer and Private Theodotus Legrand Capers, both of whom were killed as a result of the fight on Chinn Ridge, where the Second Battle of Manassas reached its climax. (Tour Stop 10)
Join a ranger at the Deep Cut for a tour focused on the largest Union attack of the Second Battle of Manassas. In the face of overwhelming Confederate firepower, one Union soldier reflected, “We were transformed from a lot of good natured boys to the most bloodthirsty of demoniacs…” This tour covers a lot of distance over rooted and rocky terrain and may not be suitable for those with mobility concerns. (Tour Stop 7)
Join a park ranger at Chinn Ridge, site of the climactic fight of Second Manassas as waves of Union brigades attempted to stave off Gen. Longstreet’s 28,000 Confederates in a bid to save Pope’s Army. (Tour Stop 10)
Jr. Ranger Station (10:00AM-4:30PM)Stop by our Junior Ranger Station in the Visitor Center atrium throughout the day to do crafts and family-friendly activities with park staff!
Dogan House Open (10:00AM-4:00PM)Visit the Dogan House where park volunteers are on hand to talk about the story of widow Lucinda Dogan and her children, whose home was right at the center of the action during the battle. (Tour Stop 8)
Brawner Farm Open (9:00AM-5:00PM)Visit the Brawner Farm Interpretive Center to learn more about the Second Battle of Manassas and chat with park staff. (Tour stop 1. Exhibits inside the house, grounds are open sunrise to sunset.)
Stone House Open (10:00AM-4:30PM)Visit the Stone House, one of three structures that witnessed the Civil War left in the park and learn more about how it was used as a house, a hospital, and even a hotel in the 20th century! (Tour Stop 3)
