Prince William and Manassas Offer a One-of-a-kind African American History Lesson

Sunday, February 19, 2012

For Immediate Release
For more information, please contact:
Jennifer Buske, Communications Specialist, 571-257-3218, jbuske@visitpwc.com
 
Prince William, VA – Discover Prince William and Manassas during African American history month for a unique look at our rich African American history.
Explore the only restored,  interpreted African American schoolhouse in Northern Virginia, connect with the ghost of a former slave held at Brentsville jail or step inside one of Northern Virginia’s only remaining slave quarters open to the public.
 
“Prince William and Manassas have very unique sites that tell the story of our rich African American heritage,” Discover Prince William & Manassas, VA Executive Director Ann Marie Maher said. “We have diverse interpretive programs that give visitors a glimpse into our past.”
 
Here’s a list of some of our top historic sites, located just 29 miles south of the nation’s capital:
 
Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre –Thirteen executions were recorded at the Brentsville jail in the mid-1800’s, 12 of which were African Americans. One executed female slave is believed to haunt the property. Another, a runaway slave, was killed after he allegedly tried to burn his way out of the jail. Evidence of a fire is still visible in the beams of the building. (http://www.pwcgov.org/fun/Pages/Brentsville-Courthouse-Historic-Centre.aspx)
 
Lucasville School – This one-room school was built solely for African American children in 1885. The interactive site allows visitors to write on chalkboards and read the books used more than 100 years ago. Lucasville is open for tours every weekend in February. (http://www.pwcgov.org/government/dept/publicworks/hp/Pages/Lucasville-School.aspx)
 
Industrial School & Jennie Dean Memorial – Walk this five-acre park dedicated to the Manassas Industrial School for Colored Youth. Founded by former slave Jennie Dean, the school was one of the few sources of higher education in Northern Virginia for African Americans. (http://va-manassas2.civicplus.com/index.aspx?NID=219)
 
Ben Lomond Historic Site - Explore one of the few remaining public, furnished slave quarters in Northern Virginia. Sit on a reproduction slave’s bed and learn about slave life. Also visit the plantation’s home, which served as a Civil War Hospital. Graffiti from soldiers is still visible in the house. (http://www.pwcgov.org/government/dept/publicworks/hp/Pages/Ben-Lomond-Historic-Site.aspx)
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Discover Prince William & Manassas is the Convention and Visitors Bureau marketing Prince William County and Manassas,Virginia as a destination for leisure and business travelers, group tours, conferences, meetings and events.

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