Manassas, Virginia is located in Northern Virginia. It is about 35 miles west of Washington, DC. HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE Manahoac and Doeg Indians first inhabited the land now known as Manassas but were displaced by 17th century settlers who built farms, churches and mills. Construction of the Orange & Alexandria and Manassas Gap railroads in the 1850s led to the transformation of the village of Tudor Hall into Manassas Junction. The Junction's strategic importance as a major rail link near Washington made it a vital military objective during the Civil War. The First Battle of Manassas (Bull Run) was fought five miles Northwest of the Junction in 1861. A year later, the Second Battle of Manassas opened the way for Gen. Robert E. Lee's invasion of the North. By 1865, Manassas and much of the surrounding area lay devastated by the ravages of war. Reconstruction took on literal meaning as local residents returned and, together with new arrivals, founded the town of Manassas in 1873. Business prospered as the railroad town came into its own. Manassas became the seat of Prince William County in 1894, attesting to its growing significance in the area. As many as 40 trains a day pass through the town, carrying passengers and freight throughout the region. The Manassas Museum, established in 1974, interprets the material culture of Manassas and the Northern Virginia Piedmont. The Museum's collection includes prehistoric tools, Civil War weapons and uniforms, railroad memorabilia, Victorian costumes, quilts and other items reflecting the community's past. An extensive photographic collection contains a wealth of images which illustrate the people, events, and sites that make Manassas unique. The museum also distributes a "Driving and Walking Tour" brochure which takes the visitor throughout the Old Town Manassas and the surrounding areas. NAME ORIGIN The true origin of the name Manassas cannot be definitely established but several theories have been developed through the years in an attempt to explain the derivation of the town's name. There are those who believe that the word is Indian in origin. General W. H. Payne of Fauquier County, who was known locally in the late 1800's as an authority of Indian nomenclature, surmised that Massanutten Mountain and Manassas Gap had a common Indian origin. The more commonly accepted theory of the origin of the name is actually a combination of two closely associated legends. According to one tradition, an old Frenchman named Manassa lived in a gap which cuts through the Blue Ridge Mountains. Thus, the area became known as Manassa's Gap. In another story, an "Old Jew" called Manasseh is said to have lived in the vicinity of the gap. Dr. Raus Hanson of Madison College must have favored this legend because, in his study of the meaning of Virginia place names, he simply entered "from Manasseh's" as the origin of Manassas. Although the real origin of the name remains a mystery, Old Town Manassas and Manassas National Battlefield Park are forever linked by the legacy of the Civil War. Today, Old Town combines a rich history with a look to the future. Visitors receive a warm welcome at many of the restaurants, shops and museums. A fine collection. Antique and Specialty Shops. The old and the new...the traditional and the extraordinary- - all are found in the quaint and charming shops of Old Town. Visitors are welcomed by merchants offering a wealth of antiques, country crafts and furnishings, and other distinctive shopping opportunities. Browse through art galleries and take home a treasure created by a local artisan. All in good taste. Restaurants and Cafes. Freshly baked bread, simmering stews and cooling chocolate chip cookies are among the aromas that float through the streets of Old Town, enticing the passersby to stop in and enjoy a tasty meal. Served with a large helping of hospitality, Old Town restaurants offer a distinct variety of dining choices. From cozy family cafes to elegant and romantic restaurants, fine food is an Old Town tradition. Some of the main sites to see are as follows: Old Town Manassas has many Antique and Speciality shops as well as a wide variety of Restaurants. Festivals, Fairs and Jubilees are held here in Old Town Manassas. The Civil War Weekend is a popular event held annually every August. The Manassas Museum is located in Old Town Manassas. Come see the history of Manassas, from the Civil War days to today. The Manassas National Battlefield Park is where two great Civil War battles took place. Confederate General Thomas J. Jackson was immortalized here as "Stonewall". It is located about 5 miles north of Old Town Manassas. Manassas, Virginia "Rich in Historic Interest!"

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