The Friends of Manassas National Battlefield Park |
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On a hot July day in 1861 two great armies from north and south came together for the first time on the fields overlooking a stream called Bull Run. The naive unprepared troops would soon have their hopes of a short war dashed, as they came face to face with the horrors and carnage of war. By the day's end nearly 900 men lay dead and dying on what the day before had been the peaceful farms of Northern Virginia. Thirteen months later the same armies, now much larger and battle hardened, would again clash over the same ground. This time, the destruction would be far greater, over 23,000 killed, missing or wounded. The outcome of the second battle would lead to the southern army's first full scale invasion across the Potomac River into Maryland.
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| The Friends' position statements and opinions found on this site are the sole responsibility of the Friends of Manassas National Battlefield Park, and do not reflect the policies or positions of the National Park Service, or of any other government agency, or of any other organization. |
WELCOME ED CLARK On April 28, Ed Clark assumes duties as Superintendent of the MNBP. Mr. Clark is a 21 year veteran of the NPS, with an extensive background in resource management and law enforcement. A Virginia native, Ed has served in a variety of capacities at the Blue Ridge Parkway, Shenandoah National Park, as manager of the Green Springs National Historic Landmark District, and most recently as acting National Coordinator for the Heritage Area Program in the Washington Office. The Friends are looking forward to working with Mr. Clark.
WORKDAY AT THE MNBP SATURDAY, JUNE 7, 8:00 AM TO NOON Join the Friends and other volunteers clean up a trash dump site on hallowed ground near the historic Cundiff House Site. We will be working under the direction of Park Rangers, and will meet at the lower parking lot of the Stuart's Hill administrative complex. We recommend long pants or jeans (no shorts), sturdy shoes or boots, and you may want to bring your gloves.
FRIENDS BOARD MEETING The next Friends Board Meeting to be announced. Everyone who is interested in supporting the Manassas Battlefield and actively participating in a number of worthwhile projects is cordially invited to attend. We need your help, and will welcome your time, talents, and energy.
THE FRIENDS WELCOME PATC TO THE MNBP FAMILY In April 2008, the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (PATC) entered into a partnership agreement with the Manassas National Battlefield Park to assist in the development and maintenance of the over 30 miles of hiking/interpretive trails currently located within the park boundaries. Emphasis will be placed on improvements to trail marking system, improvements in trail tread and supporting the park in the event of major storm damage. The Battlefield Equestrian Society (BES) will be working closely with PATC and will continue providing support for the over 20 miles of bridle trails in the park.
A volunteer-based organization, headquartered in Vienna, Virginia. The PATC was founded in 1927 by the men and women who planned and built the Appalachian Trail. With the help of over 6000 volunteers, the club now manages more than 1,200 miles of hiking trails in the Mid-Atlantic region, along with cabins, shelters, and hundreds of acres of conserved land. PATC volunteers contribute tens of thousands of hours of volunteer service every year. Volunteers maintain trails, cabins, and shelters, teach Leave No Trace principles to hikers and backpackers, publish maps and guidebooks, and help manage a busy headquarters operation. In addition to volunteer opportunities, the club offers a busy calendar of recreational events, including hikes, excursions, cross-country ski weekends, and mountaineering trips. Visit the PATC website.
BYPASS STUDY DRAFT EIS PHASE The construction of bypasses that would relocate routes 29 and 234 traffic around the MNBP provides the last opportunity to restore the integrity of the historic sites of First and Second Manassas. The Bypass Study to identify viable alternate routes is nearing completion and has entered the Draft EIS Phase. You are invited to review the official Draft EIS. The Build Alternative D (north of the Battlefield) has been approved by the Commonwealthe Transportation Board and both Prince Willaim and Fairfax Counties. There is no funding in sight for this project, and the alternative is to widen US 29 through the heart of the Manassas Battlefield!
FIRST MANASSAS AUDIO TAPES We invite you to relive First Manassas with Ed Bearss, the eminent Chief Historian Emeritus of the National Park Service on these unique RealMedia audio files.
136 Historic Acres Preserved for Posterity. Review the history of the Davis Tract purchase. Visit the Davis Tract Plaque Ceremony. |
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