Civil War 150th Anniversary Celebrations: Manassas, VA July 21-24, 2011

Civil War 150th Anniversary Celebrations including Manassas, VA will begin in 2011. Certainly there were plenty of warning signs in the late 1850's of approaching hostilities between the North and the South like the Dred Scott Decision, John Browns Raid, Abraham Lincoln's election and the first secession of a southern state by South Carolina in December of 1860. Still It was not officially until 1861 that the Civil War began. For this reason the Civil War 150th Anniversary Celebration will officially begin in 2011.

From the beginning of the year special events will be organized across the country and provide opportunities for all Americans to advance their understanding of their own national history. Whether you are an American Civil War buff, a re-enactor, a student studying American History or parents of a family that loves to travel, 2011 should provide you with some exceptional opportunities to view historic sites as part of a Civil War anniversary celebration. If you can put yourself in Manassas, Va between July 21 and 24 you and your family can participate in what is being planned there to commemorate the first land battle of the Civil War, known better as First Bull Run.

Events for the four day celebration are divided between those that will be held daily and those that are simply one day events. On each day visitors will be welcomed to participate in walking and bus tours of the Manassas area including the Liberia Plantation, the Mayfield Fort, the Cannon Branch Fort and Jennie Dean Historical Site.
On July 21 special activities for that day only will include performances of period music and a display relating to the Underground Railroad.

If you have a taste for parades you will want to make sure your visit to Manassas includes July 22 so that you can enjoy the planned Manassas Civil War Military Parade. July 23 features the Blue and Gray Sesquicentennial Ball and the final day, July 24, is brought to a close with an Interfaith Service. A close look at the calendar found on the Manassas Civil War website will allow you to plan you time to best accommodate your interests.

Of course you can also spend time visiting the National Battlefield Park at Manassas on your own either during the Civil War 150th Anniversary Celebration at Manassas or on your own time through the year. Manassas Battle Field is one of those rare places where you can actually visit the site of two Civil War battles at one park. Not only was the first land battle of the Civil War fought here not far from Washington, D. C. but a second battle aptly named Second Bull Run ( Manassas) was fought over pretty much the same ground about a year later.

The Visitors Center at Manassas National Battlefield Park is open daily from 8:30- 5:00 each day. There is an entrance fee of $3 per person but children under 16 are admitted free of charge. Even without the planned celebration you can learn lots about the Civil War and the Battles of Bull Run through a 45 minute film, a museum and a one mile self guided tour all available at the Visitors Center.

So you have a choice - the official celebration or your own family event. Either way you will be part of the Civil War 150th Anniversary Celebrations:Manassas, VA in 2011.

If you cannot find your way to Manassas during the planned celebration, you still have the whole year of 2011 to make a visit to the National Battlefield

Sources: www.manassascivilwar.com