Provided by Prince William County
Prince William County has an extensive African American history that is preserved and interpreted through its historic buildings. Throughout the County’s history, many enslaved African Americans worked at plantations including Rippon Lodge and Ben Lomond.
At Brentsville, both enslaved and free African Americans were placed on trial, where they were not able to testify against their neighbors. At Lucasville School and the Barnes House, free African Americans after the Civil War built homes and communities to establish a life for themselves as citizens, where they began to challenge racism and segregation.
Throughout the year, feel free to visit Prince William County’s Historic Sites to learn about the African American experience in this region. Also, join the County’s Historic Preservation Division in February as they celebrate Black History Month at many of their sites.
Black History Month Events include:
- Lucasville School Open House – Open weekends in February
- African American History at Brentsville Tours – Feb. 13
- Barnes House Tours – Feb. 13 and 20
- Every Day Full of Work: The African American Experience at Ben Lomond – Feb. 20
For more information about these programs or to visit the sites, please visit the Historic Preservation webpage, or call 703-792-4754.
