Provided by Prince William County
Prince William County has several events in February in honor of Black History Month.
Faith Ringgold
Join in at the Potomac Community Library this Saturday, Feb. 1, at 3:00 p.m. to read a story written and illustrated by the famous African American artist Faith Ringgold. Ringgold is best known for what she calls her story quilts – large canvasses depicting African American life. Visitors to the library will be invited to create their own art using Ringgold’s “Flag Story Quilt” art piece as inspiration. The free program is open to all ages with a caregiver. Registration is not required. Potomac Community Library is at 2201 Opitz Blvd., Woodbridge.
Lucasville School
The Lucasville School will be open weekends during February from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Visit the reconstructed 19th century schoolhouse that was used by the African American community of Lucasville There will be different activities each weekend at the schoolhouse, including crafts and exhibits. The open house events are free. Call 703-365-7895 for more information. Lucasville School is located at 10516 Godwin Drive, Manassas.
Ben Lomond Historic Site
The Ben Lomond Historic Site will present “Everyday Full of Work: The African American Experience at Ben Lomond” on Saturday, Feb. 15, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Visitors will be invited to explore the historic home and the original slave quarters. They’ll learn about the enslaved population living at Ben Lomond in the years before the Civil War. Visitors will also be able to see spaces not ordinarily open to the public, Visitors can participate in hands-on activities to learn about some of the work that was expected of enslaved people and the lives of the enslaved community. A new interactive virtual reality experience will be unveiled during the presentation. Admission is $5 for all ages. Call 703-367-7872 for more information. The Ben Lomond Historic Site is located at 10321 Sudley Manor Drive in Manassas.
Second Virginia at Rippon Lodge
Also on Saturday, Feb. 15, visitors to “Second Virginia at Rippon Lodge” will learn about the Second Virginia, which was part of the Army of the Potomac during the Civil War. Visitors to the special Presidents Day weekend event can see living history interpreters, encampments, period cooking, drilling, tours and more for the whole family to enjoy. The event will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Admission is $5 for ages six and older. Call 703-499-9812 for more information. Rippon Lodge is located at 15520 Blackburn Road in Woodbridge.
Groovy Nate
Groovy Nate, a children’s entertainer and Wolf Trap teaching artist, will be at Chinn Park Regional Library on Monday, Feb. 17 at 11:00 a.m. He’ll play original and traditional music on exotic instruments while he leads children to dance and engage in creative play. No tickets or registration required. Chinn Park Regional Library is located at 13065 Chinn Park Drive in Woodbridge.
Brentsville Courthouse
Explore the lives of African Americans in 19th century from the perspective of Brentsville Courthouse. The “African American History at Brentsville Courthouse” event will be held on Saturday, Feb. 22, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. During a tour of the site, visitors will learn how they lived, their experiences and how they were treated in the community. Visitors will also hear about the hardships they faced, such as enslavement and a lack of rights, and the triumphs they achieved. Admission is $5 for visitors 6 and older. Register online or call 703-365-7895 for more information. The Brentsville Courthouse is located at 12229 Bristow Road in Bristow.
Espionage in Prince William County
On Thursday, Feb. 27, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., visit the “Espionage in Prince William County: Preparation for D Day” presentation at the Old Manassas Courthouse. The presentation will introduce the secret story of the formation of the Ghost Army with Gen. George S. Patton as its fictitious commander. Representatives from the Cold War Museum at Vint Hill Farm, outside of Gainesville, will talk about Operation FORTITUDE. This operation used misleading communications originating from Vint Hill, which is located in Prince William and Fauquier counties. The deception was instrumental in fooling the German High Command and led to Allied success at Normandy in World War II. The event is free. Call 703-792-4754 for more information. The Old Manassas Courthouse is located at 9248 Lee Ave. in Manassas.
Barnes House
The Barnes House will be open for a free event on Saturday, Feb. 29, between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. The house has seen a lot of change in its history, from tavern to private home and now a museum. During the tours, visitors will learn about the Barnes family’s history during the Reconstruction Era and about the restoration of the building. The tours are at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Call 703-499-9812 for more information. The Barnes House is located at 5049 Waterway Drive in Dumfries.
Char McCargo
Author Char McCargo was named a “Living Legend of Alexandria.” On Saturday, Feb. 29, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., she will talk about African American history and genealogy, at Montclair Community Library. After McCargo’s talk and book signing, there will be a tour of the Barnes House, next door to the library. The event is for adults. The library is located at 5049 Waterway Drive in Dumfries.
Anthony Silver
Artist Anthony Silver will create line drawings of famous African Americans while visitors look on. He’ll be at the Montclair Community Library on Saturday, Feb. 29, between 12:30 and 2:00 p.m. An art exhibit by AJ Silver Art will be on display at the library through February.
For more information about county programs and activities, visit pwcgov.org.
