The Old Museum at Manassas


The Third Battle of Manassas?

During the Second Battle of Manassas, in 1862, J.E.B. Stuart found that the piece of land called Monroe Heights, now known as Stuart's Hill, would serve well for Robert E. Lee's headquarters.

From 1986 to 1988 this 540 acre tract of land adjacent to the Manassas National Battlefield Park captured the nation's attention as battlefield land preservationists fought commercial developers over the fate of the property. During this controversial period critical battlefield preservation issues were decided that remain relevant to current battlefield management policies and are applicable as "lessons learned" for other battlefield sites identified by the American Battlefield Protection Program as threatened.

The exhibit "The Third Battle of Manassas" is a five panel portable display with an audio-visual presentation contained in the third panel. This presentation is an eighteen minute video discussing the issues surrounding the struggle and is highlighted by interviews of the key participants. The first, second and fourth panels elaborate upon details within the video. The fifth panel outlines the ensuing battlefield preservation movement inspired by this precedent setting Federal land taking.

The exhibit will be on display weekends in May and everyday in June at the Stuart's Hill Visitor Center.

Left to right
Panel 1 Property Rights vs. Preservation
Panel 2 The Lines are Drawn
Panel 3 The Stage is Set
Panel 4 A Victor Emerges
Panel 5 Giving History a Fighting Chance

Women on the Battlefield Next