Victorian Sundays at the Ben Lomond Historic Site 10321 Sudley Manor Drive, Manassas, VA 20109

For more information contact: Jim Craft, at (703) 300-3479; email ict4afghans@hotmail.com

2010 Victorian Sunday programs are planned for April 4 (with an Easter Egg Hunt) & April 18; May 2, 6, & 30; June 13 & 20; July 11 & 25 (in conjunction with 1st Battle of Manassas event); August 8 & 22; September 5 &19 ; and, October 3 & 31

What are Victorian Sundays?

Most simply, Victorian Sundays are a recreation of the social life of the Manassas area community on a typical Sunday during the period around the time of the Civil War.   Beginning in 1610, Virginia had a series of "blue laws" that restricted business and work on Sunday, originally aimed to "keep the Sabbath holy".  These laws were not repealed until 1988 and vestiges remain in the Sunday restrictions on hunting and the sale of alcohol.

Proper Courtship on a Sunday

Sunday was a time for rest, worship, reflection, and social activities.  Freed from most work, neighbors would gather together and build the ties of community. Every other Sunday at the Ben Lomond Site, we plan to have a period Church Service (often using the 1845 version of the Protestant Episcopal liturgy) about 11, followed by other appropriate activities such as teas, picnics, dances, lawngames (e.g., Croquet which was an Olympic sport in 1900), parlor music, militia drills, period dramas. We expect that this may start slowly but over time, we hope to train and equip a cadre of volunteers (living history interpreters, docents, and experts in needed arts such as cooking, gardening, and the military arts).  Where possible visitors will have "hands-on" experience based on solid historical research.  Even at the height of the Civil War, there was life beyond the pall of smoke and the crack of muskets.

Schedule of a typical Victorian Sunday: 10:45 to 11:00  Introduction 11:00 to 12:00  1850's Church Service 12:00 to 1:30    Picnic or Tea 1:30 to 3:30     Games, sports, militia drill & other activities for fun and learning history 3:30 to 4:00      Close Rain day activities will be held inside the buildings. House tours available throughout the day.

Building a Community, One Sunday at a Time

In our mobile, plastic society, values are questioned and relationships often shallow.  Earlier eras built stronger communities where war and economic downturns could not break the trust and bonds that held families and society together.  We can learn from history to the benefit of our own lives and our children's.

Learning from History Can Be Fun!

The bounds of manners does not keep the gentlewoman or gentleman from enjoying life.  By learning from doing as well as from research, participants of the Victorian Sundays will derive a deeper appreciation of the lessons of history.  Perhaps we can truly learn to rest on a Sunday and be invigorated for the week that follows. Are you ready to slow down life and really learn history? Join us and see.

Historic Faith Ministry, Manassas, Virginia