Prince William County citizens played a major role in the years leading up to and through the American Revolution. Henry Lee, William Grayson and Thomas Blackburn were among the leaders who first protested the taxes being levied by Parliament and the crown by authoring the Prince William County Resolves in 1774. These men went on to join the military, fighting to secure rights for all men, not only in their state but for this new nation called the United States.
Men from across Prince William County joined militia companies and the regular army, many of them fighting in major battles that helped determine the fate of this fledgling nation. County manufacturing centers such as the Neabsco ironworks helped provide Washington’s army with essential goods and materials needed to fight the war.
Prince William County’s Revolutionary War trail includes not only the stories of these leaders, but also little-known trivia and sites such as the prisoner of war camp that held Hessian troops captured during Washington’s victory at Trenton and Princeton.
Come explore Prince William County’s Revolutionary History!
Museum Family Day at Brentsville Courthouse: Life in a 19th Century Town$5 per person, ages 4 and up. Get tickets here. Explore Brentsville’s courthouse and jail with interactive, hands-on activities and learn about wh... Read More
Tavern Night at Williams OrdinaryTake a sip of history while learning about Williams Ordinary, a historic tavern in Dumfries. Enjoy a unique experience in this local landmark by liste... Read More
Juneteenth at Lucasville SchoolJuneteenth at Lucasville 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.; FREE Join us at Lucasville in honor of Juneteenth to learn about the celebration marking the emancipatio... Read More
Walking Tours of Historic Prince William Towns: Sudley SpringsExplore the remnants of Sudley Springs, which at one time was a bustling hamlet, home to a church, a mill, and a mineral spring. This tour is co-hoste... Read More
Walking Tours of Historic Prince William Towns: HaymarketTour Haymarket, the second town in the county to be incorporated in 1882 with a rich history spanning as far back as the 18th century. ... Read More
Ben Lomond Civil War Hospital Lantern ToursFollowing the Battle of First Manassas, Ben Lomond was used as a hospital where surgeons treated the wounded throughout the night. Every inch of space... Read More
Museum Family Day: Rippon Lodge Game DayBring the family to explore Colonial history through fun, historic games, and activities at Rippon Lodge. Programs include outdoor and indoor experien... Read More
Prince William Lecture Series: "Atrocities at Bull Run" by Harry Smeltzer On April 1, 1862, the Joint Congressional Committee on the Conduct of the War issued its report based on little known testimony regarding what it offi... Read More
Museum Family Day at Ben Lomond: Make Your Own Cornhusk DollBring your whole family to Ben Lomond Historic Site to learn about cornhusk dolls, a popular children’s toy in the 19th century. Then, make your own... Read More
Prince William Lecture Series: “Potomac Marble: History of the Search for the Ideal Stone” by Paul KreingoldThe destruction of Washington in 1814 by the invading British challenged President James Monroe and architect Benjamin Latrobe with the task of rebuil... Read More
Prince William Lecture Series: “Vigilante Justice in Prince William County” by Kate Bitelyn the late 19th century, Prince William County witnessed a tragic and violent episode of vigilante justice. The story revolves around a group of tenan... Read More
