Prince William County Office of Historic Preservation

10/15/2026

Good evening! Take a Sip of History at Water's End in Lake Ridge is still on tonight (10/15/26) from 6:30 to 8:00 PM, but we are moving inside for the program due to the rain potential. Space may be limited, so arrive a bit early.

10/15/2026

Did you know that October is Virginia Archaeology Month?

In 2009, an archeological investigation of Ben Lomond kitchen yard was conducted. Although historians knew there was a detached kitchen from the antebellum, we did not know the exact location and dimensions of it. In the 20th century the old kitchen was destroyed.

The location of the building was eventually discovered and the foundations for the building was uncovered. In addition to the building being found, many 19th century artifacts from daily life, such as marbles and hardware were unearthed, giving historians a better understanding of the workings of the kitchen. Today visitors can see the outline of the kitchen while visiting the site.

Image captions: Top Image: Foundation of the Ben Lomond Kitchen, OHP; bottom images: archaeological artifacts including marbles and buckles found during the excavation, OHP

10/15/2026

Join Rippon Lodge Historic Site on Saturday, Oct 24 for the Road To Victory, beginning at 11am. Experience a day full of colonial living history demonstrations focused on the Revolutionary War. Witness historical vignettes, enslaved soldiers, indigenous scouts and more. Enjoy making crafts, playing colonial era games, and other living history activities.

Program ends 3 pm; FREE; donations welcome at www.pwcparks.org/historicdonations

Image of historic interpreters at Rippon Lodge Historic Site.

10/14/2026

On this day 163 years ago, the Battle of Bristoe Station began at about 2 p.m. This Civil War battle, the last fought in Prince William County, saw nearly 50,000 troops of both armies present on the battlefield.

Union soldiers of the Army of the Potomac mainly fought behind the embankment of the Orange & Alexandria Railroad and repulsed attacking Confederate soldiers. That night, the Union troops slipped away from Bristoe Station and rejoined the rest of the army at Centreville. Confederate troops remained on the battlefield to bury the dead and care for the wounded. Approximately 1,400 Confederate soldiers became casualties in the battle, compared to about 300 Union soldiers. "The scene of battle at Bristoe was fearful," remarked one Union soldier. "The slope of the plain over which the enemy charged was covered with killed and wounded, and the cries and groans of the latter were distressing."

Learn more about this battle and the soldiers who fought in it by walking the 1863 Trail at Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park, which is open every day from sunrise to sunset. For more information, visit pwcva.gov/bristoe.

10/13/2026

ADDITIONAL TICKETS ADDED!

Did you know that in 2009, Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre was featured on SyFy Channel’s Ghost Hunters? Join us on Friday, October 23rd for a special showing at the place where it happened! Afterwards, ticket holders will go on a special ghost tour to learn the history behind the episode and hear more ghost stories as you tour Brentsville’s grounds and historic buildings by candlelight.

7-8PM - Showing - FREE, No Tickets Required
8-9PM - Ghost Tour - TICKETS ADDED! Get your tickets today before they sell out!

For more information, call 703-365-7895.
Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre, 12229 Bristow Rd., Bristow, VA.

Image Captions: Staff at Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre, OHP.

10/12/2026

A reminder that our fall Take a Sip of History: Ghost Stories of Prince William County is this upcoming Thursday, October 15th at 6:30 pm! Join us at Water's End Brewery's Lake Ridge location for a night of ghost stories and spooky storytelling. This event is free and no reservations are required. We do recommend arriving early to grab a seat, and attendees are also welcome to bring their own lawn chairs.

Questions? Call 703-792-1731. We'll see you there!

Image: Attendees at 2024 Take a Sip of History at Water's End Brewery.

10/09/2026

Picking up from the last part of our series on highway history, let's take a look at the beginning of our state road system. VDOT (Virginia Department of Transportation) traces its origins to the creation of the State Highway Commission in 1906. Its mission was to construct an improved highway system in the state, primarily by aiding and supporting the local county road authorities. The commissioner and staff were required to be civil engineers with road building experience. Funding was provided by a 3 cents a gallon gasoline tax. Federal funding began to play a significant part after the 1916 Federal Aid Road Act.

This piecemeal effort continued until after World War I, when the Highway Commission adopted a new plan to construct and surface a numbered state road system beginning in 1919. There would be 22 numbered routes totaling 4,007 miles. The largest single-route portion would be VA 10, running 500 miles east-west from Virginia Beach to Russell County. A new Department of Highways was created in 1927 to manage the expanding system, with the commission becoming more of an advisory body.

VA Route 1 initially ran through eastern Prince William, coming down to Occoquan, crossing the bridge there, before snaking through Woodbridge and Dumfries along old county roads. South of Dumfries the Chopawamsic swamp area was one of the first paved road projects in the state, on top of earlier improvements. It was renamed VA 31 in 1923, lasting until 1933 when the signs were taken down from US 1, its replacement. Being moved away from Occoquan after completion of the US 1 bridge left behind VA 315 as a local link, which became part of VA 25, then VA 9, then VA 123 until the collapse of the old Occoquan iron bridge during Hurricane Agnes in 1972.

On the west end of the county, VA 21 was the other original state route running into the county from Warrenton via Buckland and Manassas. This would eventually become US 211, then US 29, on its rerouting that bypassed Manassas in 1924. Manassas continued to be accessed via (confusingly) VA 211 until it was renumbered to VA 28 in 1926.

This state Primary Highway system was in flux throughout the 1920s and 1930s as it expanded, eventually taking over most local road systems, applying a statewide numbering system. The Highway Commission published its first map for the public in 1922, something that VDOT continues to do today.

Image Caption: 1924 Highway shield of VA 211, today mostly Route 28. Public domain image made by NE2.

10/08/2026

Did you know that in 2009, Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre was featured on SyFy Channel’s Ghost Hunters? There are reasons why. We won’t tell you what they discovered, but coming up in a few weeks, there is an opportunity for you to find out what they found for yourself!

Join us on October 23rd for a special showing at the place where it happened! Afterwards, ticket holders will go on a special ghost tour to learn the history behind the episode and hear more ghost stories as you tour Brentsville’s grounds and historic buildings by candlelight.

7-8PM - Showing - FREE, No Tickets Required
8-9PM - Ghost Tour - SOLD OUT

For more information, call 703-365-7895.
Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre, 12229 Bristow Rd., Bristow, VA.

Image Captions: TAPS members filming at Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre with staff, 2009, OHP.

10/08/2026

Join Rippon Lodge Historic Site on Saturday, Oct 24 for The Road To Victory, form 11am to 3 pm;. Rippon Lodge Historic Site welcomes all to experience a day full of colonial living history demonstrations focused on the Revolutionary War. Witness historical vignettes, meet civilian camp followers, enslaved soldiers, and indigenous scouts. Enjoy making crafts, playing colonial era games, view other living history activities, and more.

FREE for the entire family to enjoy; donations welcome at www.pwcparks.org/historicdonations

Images: staff and historic interpreters in colonial costume at Rippon Lodge Historic Site.

10/07/2026

Have you checked out Prince William Public Libraries's most recent "Important Library Stuff" podcast? Check it out to hear some ghost stories from Prince William County's historic sites! Thank you to PWPL for featuring us!

🎙️ A new Important Library Stuff podcast episode is out now!

Gather by the fire, it's time for ghost stories! Historic Interpreter Nate McDonald from the Prince William County Office of Historic Preservation shares the historical basis of two ghost stories from the county, as well as inviting residents to check out historic (and haunted) happenings this month. He also discusses the two historic sites located next to our very own libraries.

Disclaimer: Today's episode covers stories that include descriptions of violence that are not appropriate for children. Listener discretion is advised.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts or at http://pwpl.buzzsprout.com.