Park Service to commemorate 150th anniversary of First Battle of Manassas

The National Park Service will commemorate the sesquicentennial of the Battle of First Manassas with events at the Virginia park from Thursday, July 21 through Sunday, July 24, 2011.

The four-day observance of the 150th anniversary of the First Battle of Manassas begins with a commemorative ceremony at the Henry Hill Visitor Center on Thursday, July 21 at 9:15 a.m. This program, sponsored by the National Park Service and the Virginia Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War Commission, will examine both the profound impact of the battle, as well as the broader Civil War, and the rich opportunities afforded by the anniversary.
Invited speakers include Robert F. McDonnell, Governor of Virginia, National Park Service Director Jon Jarvis, and other local, state, and federal officials. The keynote address will be given by Dr. Edward L. Ayers, president of the University of Richmond and historian of the American South. Free tickets are available for the July 21 commemorative ceremony.  Free tickets are available at the Henry Hill Visitor Center (6511 Sudley Road).

Interpretive programs including tours and living history demonstrations will be presented throughout the four-day event. On Friday evening, July 22 at 6 p.m. park rangers will present a program "Behind the Lines – War Passes Sudley Springs." The program will depart from Sudley United Methodist Church (5308 Sudley Road).  On Saturday, July 23 at 2 p.m. starting at the Henry Hill Visitor Center rangers will present "The Robinson Farm – An African American Family Caught in the Crossfire."  A complete schedule of programs including small arms and artillery demonstrations is available at the park web site, http://www.nps.gov/mana/parknews/anniversary-schedule.htm.