Updates to Manassas Events

The National Park Service, Manassas National Battlefield Park will adjust the schedule of programs for the 150th Anniversary of First Manassas on Saturday, July 23, 2011, due to forecast heat and weather conditions.

There will be a Musket Firing Demonstration at 11:00 a.m. and an Artillery Firing Demonstration at 1:00 p.m. The rest of the musket and artillery demonstrations have been cancelled. The Quantico Marine Corps Band will not be playing the 7:00 p.m. concert. That concert will feature the Fort McHenry Guard Fife and Drum Corps.

All other programs, including the 2:00 p.m. interpretive program “The Robinson Farm, an African American Family Caught in the Crossfire” and the 6:00 pm lecture by National Park Service Chief Historian Emeritus Edwin Bearss, will occur as scheduled. The National Park Service Visitor Center, Henry House, Stone House, and Brawner Farm House will remain open. The Civil War 150 HistoryMobile Exhibition will remain open. The bus shuttle will operate from the National Park Service field at Chinn Ridge to the Northern Virginia Community College and then to the Visitor Center and other program areas. Follow signs to the parking area access road opposite the park Visitor Center entrance drive.

For up to date information on events on the battlefield visit the park’s web site at www.nps.gov/mana or call the toll free information lines 855-305-5947 and 855-576-1335.

For information on the reenactment being held on private land outside the park visit www.manassasbullrun.com.

Manassas Battlefield Heat Warnings Cause Scheduling Changes

The National Park Service, Manassas National Battlefield Park will adjust programming on Friday, July 22, 2011, due to forecasted Excessive Heat Warnings issued by the National Weather Service. These adjustments are being made for visitor, partner and employee health and safety. From 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., outdoor programs will not be held; however, the National Park Service Visitor Center, Henry House, Stone House, and Brawner Farm House will remain open. Additionally, the Civil War 150 HistoryMobile Exhibition will remain open. All scheduled programming for Friday will continue as planned from 8:00 a.m. until about 2:00 p.m. with shortened presentation periods. Bus shuttle operations will operate from the National Park Service field at Chinn Ridge to the Northern Virginia Community College from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and then to the Visitor Center and other program areas. Follow signs to the parking area access road opposite the park Visitor Center entrance drive.

The 6:00 p.m. program Behind the Lines—War Passes Sudley Springs will be held as scheduled and will depart from Sudley United Methodist Church (adjacent to Tour Stop 5). Parking for this special program will be in the church parking lot. In the event of the need for overflow parking, a shuttle bus service will be provided from the Chinn Ridge field and visitor center parking areas to the church. Handicapped parking for this special program will be in the Sudley United Methodist Church parking lot. The program features a guided walk to Sudley Springs Ford and the historic Thornberry House, led by historian John Hennessy. The 90-minute tour will offer perspectives on the role that the Sudley Springs community and Sudley Church served during the battle. Following this tour, Sudley United Methodist Church will offer a vespers service, beginning at 8:00 p.m.

For additional information, contact the Public Information Officer at Manassas National Battlefield Park at the toll free information lines 855-305-5947 and 855-576-1335 or the battlefield’s website at www.nps.gov/mana.