Historic Manassas, Virginia

My parents came out for Cayden's Baptism early in September, and we were able to spend a couple of days playing around and finding interesting things to see and do in the area.

The first day they were here, we found some antique shops in Manassas, and then went to the Old Town area, and to the Manassas Battlefield.

Manassas is about 30 minutes away from us and is such a beautiful area; if it had been more convenient to where Andy works, I would have loved living there!

Lillian and Mason had fun playing in the train station while we were figuring out what we should see.

 We went to visit the Battlefield Museum, which isn't actually at the battlefield.

I think one of the best things about living in Virginia is all the historical things to see and do that are just right here.  Almost everywhere you drive you see tons of historical markers.  Unfortunately there is no way that we're going to be able to see everything while we live here.

We made our way down to the battlefield, and spent a little bit of time here.

The first Battle of Manassas, there were two, (or the Battle of Bull Run, as the North called it) was the first battle of the Civil War.  It was really interesting to hear a little about it.  Both the North and South thought that it would be a small skirmish and the war would be done and over with.  Unfortunately that wasn't the case.

This farmhouse stood on the hill where the major fighting took place, and the family was still in residence while the battle was raging.  A couple family members were killed, and are buried on site.

This is also the battle where Stonewall Jackson made a name for himself as a Southern leader, and where he earned the nickname 'Stonewall'.