Manassas is a unique city thatrecalls its history fondly, whilekeeping an eye on the future.

Located 30 miles southwest of Washingt-on, D.C., and only a short drive from thecountryside, the city balances amixture ofurban amenities and historic interest.

The 10-square-mile city provides resi-dents and visitors with the best of thesetwo worlds. The center of activities islocated in the historic downtown area,commonly called Old Town.

Honored as a Virginia Main StreetCommunity, Manassas is indeed a classicAmerican community, steeped in historyand tradition, welcoming visitors year-round from around the world.

The city’s superb variety of shops,museums, galleries and restaurants—andits robust calendar of festivals and events— provide an endless source of interestand fun.

“Old Town Manassas, winner of theGreat American Main Street Award, isalways an unforgettable destination. Forweekendromanticsor familiesonholiday,for a fascinating tour through history or aleisure day trip, Old Town is one place intime. We residents and businessmen allwork together, giving the community alot of charmandambiance,” says JJooaannnneeWWuunnddeerrllyy, president of the Old TownBusiness Association.

Visitors can begin their visit at theManassas Train Depot, the signature icon ofOld Town. Built in 1914, the renovateddepot is now home to the Historic ManassasVisitor Center and the James and MarionPayne Railroad Heritage Gal lery. The site is

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DOWN HOME IN

DOWN HOME SERIES

AGAIN IN THE YEAR 2008, WE’RE

MAKING OUR WAY AROUND THE REGION,

EACH ISSUE VISITING A SMALL TOWN AND

MEETING SOME OF THE FOLKS WHO MAKE UP

THE HEART OF ELECTRIC CO-OP COUNTRY.

ON THIS YEAR’S FIFTH STOP,

WE’LL BE ...

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MANASSASSTORY AND PHOTOS BY BENNIE SCARTON, CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Cooperative Living/June 2008

Old Town Manassas, winner of a Great AmericanMain Street Award, is home to an enticing array ofshops, museums, galleries and restaurants.

also a busy stop for daily Amtrak andVirginia Railway Express commuter trainsconnecting Mana ssas with Washing ton,D.C., and beyond.

Nearby, the Manassas Museum offersan intimate glimpse at the rich historyand culture of the Northern Virginia Pied -mont region through a living-historyprogram and permanent, as well aschanging, exhibits.

“We are very rich in history with theManassas Museum System overseeingeight diverse historic sites. Whether youwant to explore 300 years of Americanhistory or purchase a remembrance ofyour visit, Manassas has it all with a won-derful historic district,” says JJoohhnn HH..VVeerrrriillll, director of historic resources.

“Manassas is unique in that we havewhat so many areas lack, and that’s a senseof community. The trend today is forbuilders to spend millions of dollars tocreate a Town Center, but Manassas is the‘real deal.’ We actually are a working townwith a first-class quality of life. Our cityoffers arts and entertainment such as theLoy E. Harris Pavilion, Cramer Center,and on the lawn of the Manassas Museum,and thousands of people seeking thatsense of belonging come here to enjoywho we are. When people come here andsee our historic district, the great restau-rants and beautiful shops, they walkaround and fall in love with our OldTown,” says LLiinnddaa RRoobbeerrttssoonn, executivedirector of the award-winning HistoricManassas, Inc.

Prior to the 1850s, the Manassas areawas no more than a collection of small

AN OLD TOWN

WITH A NEW ATTITUDE.

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farms known as “Tudor Hall.” Through theefforts of a group of enterprising Culpeper busi-nessmen, who saw the railroad as the best way totransport their produce to Alexandria andWashington, D.C., the Orange & Alexandria RailLine was completed in 1851. A few years later,with the joining of this line with the ManassasGap Railway, the hamlet began to grow, becomingknown as Manassas Junction, then Manassas.

These very rail lines that brought newpromise to the area would put Manassas at his-tory’s crossroads during the Civil War.Manassas Junction was a strategic location forboth Union and Confederate forces. Twice,armies met at this site to battle over the railroadlinking Washington, D.C., with the South.Battles on July 21, 1861, and in August 1862left the entire area in ruins.

Thousands of men lost their lives atManassas, but the region’s notoriety as a cross-

roads for battle — and its unique position as arailway depot just miles from the nation’s capi-tal — brought it fame and prosperity in the late19th century. Stores, homes, hotels and eateriesopened and the economic boom in Manassascontinued into the 20th century. The richnesswas not to last. In the 1970s, Manassas — likeso many other historic main streets — encoun-tered another invader, suburban sprawl.Attracted by new strip malls and office parks,businesses abandoned the Victorian downtown.

Forty percent of shops were vacated, and 33empty buildings stood as quiet ghosts along theonce-bustling streets. The sight of dilapidatedand decaying buildings in the once-prosperousdowntown was alarming to the remaining busi-nessmen, particularly insurance broker Loy E.Harris, who led the charge to begin a revitaliza-tion of Old Town. Other business leaders fol-lowed his example and Old Town was trans-

formed into what it is today — a historic districtproviding an old-fashioned setting for restau-rants, boutiques, antique shops, barbershops,coffee shop, candy and ice cream shop, muse-ums, art galleries, craft shops, Manassas andVirginia souvenir shops and other businesses.

“Although located in the City of Manassasfor more than 20 years, the Prince WilliamCounty-Greater Manassas Chamber ofCommerce has been privileged to serve thebusinesses of not only the city, but PrinceWilliam County and the City of Manassas Parkas well. When I leave my office and walk downthe streets of Old Town, I never fail to run intosomeone I know. That’s why I think the cityoffers the best of both worlds: the friendlinessand charm of a small, meticulously preserved,old-fashioned community set amidst the hustleand bustle of a prosperous and growing county,”says DDeebbbbiiee JJoonneess, president of the chamber.

June 2008/www.co-opliving.com

AT A GLANCE...

POPULATION: 36,638

INCORPORATED:1873. In 1892,Manassas became the county seatof Prince William County, replacingBrentsville. In 1975, Manassasbecame an independent city.

ELEVATION: 305 feet

LAND AREA: 10 square miles

FACTOID: In 1861, the First Battleof Manassas — also widely knownas the First Battle of Bull Run — thefirst major land battle of theAmerican Civil War, was foughtnear the city.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Lawrence D. Hughes, Manassas city manager, in front of CityHall. • Debbie Jones is president of the PrinceWilliam County/Greater Manassas Cham -ber of Commerce. • The restored 1914 Manassas Railroad Depot , which houses theHistoric Manassas Visitor Center and the James and Marion Payne Railroad HeritageGallery. •Manassas Museum Inc. hosts a Civil War encampment each year on the lawn.•One of the stately mansions that adorn Grant Avenue in Manassas.

The leadership and vision of HistoricManassas, Inc., and its supporters has yieldedenviable success.

“Our business leaders played a key role inshaping the business environment of Manassasas a center of commerce, culture and communi-ty life that is essential for business attractionand expansion. The city’s progressive planningapproach to creating a unique lifestyle has beeninstrumental in positioning Manassas to com-pete on a regional and global level. Bold initia-tives such as the restoration of the Old HopkinsCandy [facility] into the home for the Centerfor the Arts and the construction of the Loy E.Harris Pavilion have resulted in Manassasbecoming a magnet in attracting visitors andbusinesses to our community,” says LLaawwrreenncceeDD.. HHuugghheess, city manager.

Annual events in Old Town draw upwardsof 200,000 people. These events include theManassas Heritage Railway Festival in June,which is a family celebration of the rich railwayhistory that Manassas has to offer; the ManassasWine and Jazz Festival in June; CelebrateAmerica, with the largest, choreographed fire-works extravaganzas in Northern Virginia onJuly 4; Manassas Fall Jubilee in October, inwhich more than 100 vendors offer handmadejewelry, woodcrafts, handmade candles andother unique arts and crafts; and Merry OldTown, the first weekend in December, duringwhich the streets in Old Town become a pageout of a classic Dickens novel.

The Merry Old Town weekend starts off withSanta Claus arriving by train at the Victorian rail-road station to light the Christmas tree amidstcarolers, ice skating and hayrides. Saturday fea-tures the Greater Manassas Christmas Parade, the

largest holiday parade in Northern Virginia, withmore than 2,000 participants including floats,marching units, and high-flying balloons. Themerchants of Old Town host their annual openhouse with refreshments, free horse-drawn car-riage rides and shopping-spree giveaways.

Gallery walks and concerts on the lawn of theManassas Museum, Cramer Center, Center for theArts and in the Loy E. Harris Pavilion are part ofthe vast array of entertainment the city has to offer.

PARTNERSHIPS ARE KEYAccording to DDeebbii SSaannddlliinn, the economic

development manager for the city, “The renais-sance Old Town has enjoyed over the past 15years can be directly attributed to the pub-lic/private partnerships that have been createdbetween the business community and the cityleadership. Fifteen years ago, Manassas facedwhat other cities across the nation were facing— how to compete with the growth of regionalshopping centers. To meet the challenge, thecity’s leadership and the business communitycame together and formed a partnership thathas resulted in a vibrant downtown that isattractive to visitors, business owners, investorsand residents.”

Homeowners lucky enough to live in one ofthe Victorian- or Colonial-style houses in the heartof the city can walk to the thriving business sectoror take in one of the many cultural opportunities.

“I can walk home at 11 p.m. and not worryabout crime,” says JJaann AAlltteenn, who owns theOpera House Gourmet, a gift and wine shop thatoffers wines from Virginia and 15 differentregions of the world. “This is a wonderful place tolive and run a business ... we have a real sense ofcommunity. Would you believe that Old Town

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had more than 80 free concerts last year?” Thenearby Nissan Pavilion features big-name popand country stars in the summer.

For over a century, people have been com-ing to Manassas to shop. Today, the traditioncontinues with an outstanding variety ofunique establishments. Manassas is a fascinat-ing blend of old and new where antiquing is aserious pursuit. Offering a wealth of vintagefurnishings, country crafts and works of art, thearea’s charming shops have become a source forhard-to-find collectibles, and visitors will findthat Old Town merchants are a wealth of anec-dotes and inside information about their wares,as well as Old Town itself and adjacent storesand shopping centers.

“We offer something for everyone,” saysCChhrriissttiinnee MM.. FFiinnnniiee, owner of Whimsical Galeriein Old Town, which sells gift items, toys and sou-venirs. “I find that customers coming into mystore are some of the nicest in the world. I reallyenjoy meeting them.”

More than 50 buildings have been renovat-ed, attracting upscale boutiques along with aneclectic mix of restaurants. The sidewalks,adorned with flowers and turn-of-the-centurylampposts, beckon travelers and residents aliketo slow down and enjoy their surroundings.Once again, the heart and soul of the communi-ty sparkles by day and comes alive at night withsounds of music filling the air.

The southern tradition of hospitality lives onin Manassas, evidenced in the greetings youreceive as you walk down the streets or step intoa shop. No matter your pleasure: business or his-tory, gourmet dining, art or antiques, in Manassasyou will find the perfect memory to take awaywith you. �

L-R: Joanne Wunderly, owner of The Things I Love and president of the Old Town Business Association. • John Verrill, director of historic resources for the city, oversees eight diverse historic sites. • Debi Sandlin, economic development manager, in front of a restored caboose in Old Town.

June 7: 14th Heritage Railway FestivalJune 15: 4th Annual Wine & Jazz Festival

More events, unique shopping & dining information at

www.visitmanassas.org • 703.361.6599

Experience a Sense of Community

45June 2008/www.co-opliving.com

IF YOU GO ...

No matter the pleasure — art, antiques, unique din-ing, history — the City of Manassas offers an

abundance of shops and restaurants, ranging from full-service American to the best in Thai.Whether visiting one of the many charming

shops in OOlldd TToowwnn or shopping at the MMaannaassssaassMMaallll for the latest fashions and accessories, visitorsand residents enjoy the southern tradition of hospi-tality that is alive in the community.MMaannaassssaass MMuusseeuumm, 9101 Prince William St.,

Manassas, offers exhibits that interpret NorthernVirginia Piedmont history through artifacts, docu-ments and images. The museum provides self-guid-ed architectural and walking tour brochures, aswell as maps to diverse shops, to restaurants inOld Town Manassas and to other attractions.“Echoes,” the museum store, has unique gifts, jew-elry, books and Civil War collectibles. The muse-um is open Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.;closed Mondays except on some federal holidays.Phone (703) 368-1873.HHiissttoorriicc MMaannaassssaass VViissiittoorr CCeenntteerr, 9431 West

St., Manassas, is open daily and has brochures,maps and a knowledgeable staff to help touristsmake the most of their visit. It’s housed in therestored 1914 Manassas Railroad Depot, whichalso holds exhibits about the area’s railroad histo-ry in the JJaammeess aanndd MMaarriioonn PPaayynnee RRaaiillrrooaaddHHeerriittaaggee GGaalllleerryy and a rail-station-passenger waiting room. Phone (703) 361-6599.FFrreeeeddoomm MMuusseeuumm is located in the terminal

building at Manassas Regional Airport, 10400Terminal Road, Manassas. The Museum honorsAmericans who have served their country andthose who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Thefocus of the displays of photographs, artifacts andmemorabilia is the country’s struggle for freedomin the 20th century. Phone (703) 393-0660. PPrriinnccee WWiilllliiaamm CCoouunnttyy//GGrreeaatteerr MMaannaassssaass

CChhaammbbeerr ooff CCoommmmeerrccee, 8963 Center Street,Manassas, is one of the oldest and largest cham-bers in the area, established in 1935. It has contin-uously supported the business community throughthe years and serves as a resource for the generalpublic, providing information about the commu-nity. Phone (703) 368-6600.CCeenntteerr ffoorr tthhee AArrttss aatt tthhee HHooppkkiinnss CCaannddyy

FFaaccttoorryy, 9419 Battle St., Manassas, houses the

CCaattoonn MMeerrcchhaanntt FFaammiillyy AArrtt GGaalllleerryy and the AArrtthhuurrKKeellllaarr TThheeaattrree. It’s also host to concerts, classesand art and theater camps, and is home toRRooooffttoopp PPrroodduuccttiioonnss (an adult community theater)and PPiieedd PPiippeerr CChhiillddrreenn’’ss TThheeaattrree. Built in 1908,the factory once produced more than eight tons ofcandy daily. Phone (703) 330-ARTS. PPrriinnccee WWiilllliiaamm CCoouunnttyy FFaaiirrggrroouunnddss, 10624

Dumfries Rd., Manassas, is the home of Virginia’slargest county fair, the PPrriinnccee WWiilllliiaamm CCoouunnttyy FFaaiirr,that draws about 90,000 visitors every August.Attractions include livestock, commercial exhibits, amidway, grandstand shows, baby contests and petshows. The rest of the year the fairground hostscraft shows, dog shows, reptile shows and otherevents. Call (703) 368-0173.OOlldd DDoommiinniioonn SSppeeeeddwwaayy, 10611 Dumfries

Rd., Manassas, hosts drag racing each Fridaynight from March through October. Saturdaynights are dedicated to NASCAR racing. Specialevents are conducted on many Sundays. Call(703) 361-7753.LLiibbeerriiaa MMaannssiioonn, located on the largest plantation

in Manassas to survive the Civil War, is open for spe-cial tours throughout the year. Built in 1825, this struc-ture played a key role as headquarters for both Con -federate and Union Troops. Call (703) 368-1873. MMaannaassssaass NNaattiioonnaall BBaattttlleeffiieelldd PPaarrkk is located

about six miles from downtown Manassas. Thepark interprets the First (1861) and Second(1862) Battles of Manassas, also known as theBattles of Bull Run. Today, the National ParkService offers a visitor center, interpretive film, self-guided walking and driving tours and ranger-guid-ed programs. Call (703) 361-1339.HHiissttoorriicc PPrriinnccee WWiilllliiaamm CCoouunnttyy CCoouurrtthhoouussee

(1893). The grounds of this Romanesque revivalbuilding were the site of the historic 1911 PeaceJubilee, where survivors of the Confederate andUnion armies met and shook hands on the fieldwhere they were once locked in mortal combat.They were joined by President William H. Taft.(703) 368-1873.TThhee PPrriinnccee WWiilllliiaamm CCoouunnttyy//GGrreeaatteerr MMaannaassssaass

CCoonnvveennttiioonn aanndd VViissiittoorr CCeenntteerr, 8609 SudleyRoad, Manassas, offers information on all thegreat activities and events that take place in thearea, including an incredible variety of recreation-

al and cultural attractions such as championshipgolf, pristine regional parks, sports activities andworld-class entertainment. Call (800) 432-1792. MMaayyffiieelldd aanndd CCaannnnoonn BBrraanncchh CCiivviill WWaarr FFoorrttss

are the only surviving Civil War earthen fortificationsleft in Manassas. Walking trails, interpretive marketsand living history programs provide insight into thiscritical period of American history. (703) 368-1873. Driving and walking tours of Old Town

Manassas are available year-round. Brochures forself-guided tours are available at the Visitor Centerin the train depot and at the Manassas Museum.Call (703) 361-6599.BBeennnneetttt HHoouussee BBeedd aanndd BBrreeaakkffaasstt, 9252

Bennett Drive, is the only such facility in Manassas.It has been operating for 13 years. Call (703)368-6121. A variety of hotels and motels arelocated in the city and surrounding areas. OldeTowne Inn, (703) 368-9191.LLooyy HHaarrrriiss PPaavviilliioonn is located in the heart of the

historic district of Old Town Manassas and pro-vides the residents of Manassas and surroundingarea with quality entertainment all year. It is trans-formed into an outdoor ice-skating rink in the win-ter and the FFaarrmmeerrss’’ MMaarrkkeett in the summer.Programs designed to create an atmosphere thatencourages a sense of community includeWednesday lunch concerts, Sunday afternoonconcerts and ice-cream socials, Saturday-nightdances, military band concerts, a chili cook-off,chess tournaments, an Old World Festival andwine festival. Call (703) 361-9800.The city’s RReeccrreeaattiioonn aanndd PPaarrkkss DDeeppaarrttmmeenntt

coordinates the use of school and city park facili-ties, which include a swimming pool, tennis courts,skateboard park, softball and baseball leagues inthe summer and an open-gym program in the win-ter. In total, there are 11 public parks throughoutthe city, not including school parks. Call (703)257-8237. Manassas is also the home of theCCaarrtteerreett MMoorrttggaaggee BBooyyss aanndd GGiirrllss CClluubb, whichoffers many programs for youth.TThhee MMaannaassssaass IInndduussttrriiaall SScchhooooll aanndd JJeennnniiee

DDeeaann MMeemmoorriiaall is located on the actual site of the1893 school, founded by former slave Jennie Dean.The exhibit provides a captivating glimpse into thelife of young African-American men and womenafter the Civil War. Call (703) 368-1873. �

L-R: Linda Robertson is executive director of Historic Manassas, Inc., which oversees the Farmers’ Market. • The Center for Arts sponsors the PiedPiper Theatre, which performs plays throughout the year. • Christine Finnie owns Whimsical Galerie, one of the many unique shops in Old Town.