Prince William County Parks is marking Black History Month in February by highlighting the region’s African American history through educational programs and new resources. The county’s Office of Historic Preservation oversees the preservation and interpretation of historic buildings, landscapes, and artifacts that reflect the contributions of African Americans to the area.
According to the Office of Historic Preservation, many enslaved African Americans worked at plantations such as Rippon Lodge and Ben Lomond. In Brentsville, both enslaved and free African Americans faced a court system that limited their legal rights due to racial discrimination. After the Civil War, free African Americans established communities at sites like Lucasville and Barnes House, where they began building lives as citizens while confronting racism and segregation.
The public is invited to visit historic sites year-round or attend special events in February. One such event is an open house at Lucasville School Historic Site on Sunday, February 1 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., which will kick off African American History Month programming. The event will showcase a reconstructed 19th-century school used by the Lucasville community after the Civil War. Admission is free and no tickets are required.
The county has also expanded its African American History Trail. Previously available only online, it now features wayfinding signs at each of its 20 stops. Visitors can read about historical locations or listen to an audio tour narrated by Neabsco District Supervisor Victor Angry of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors. “Serving his country for over 23 years in active duty, Victor S. Angry holds the title as the first African American Command Sergeant Major of the Army National Guard. Now retired from the military, he continues to work in public service as a Dale City Volunteer Firefighter, motivational speaker, leadership development instructor, and County Supervisor representing the Neabsco District.”
A new online exhibit titled “The Settlement” explores a historic African American community in Gainesville formed after the Civil War. This project was developed through collaboration between Prince William County’s Planning Office and Office of Historic Preservation.
For more information on upcoming events related to local history preservation efforts, residents can consult the Office of Historic Preservation website or use tools like the PWC RecMapper app for site locations.
