News Release
NPS / Andrew Bentley
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Contact: Andrew Bentley, 571-465-7662
Manassas, Va.— Manassas National Battlefield Park is pleased to announce the dedication ceremony of the Andrew Redman Blacksmith Shop and Juneteenth Commemoration. This momentous event will take place on June 15 at 1:30 p.m. at 6706 Groveton Road, Manassas, VA 20109.
Event Details:
What: Dedication Ceremony of the Andrew Redman Blacksmith Shop and Juneteenth Commemoration
When: June 15 at 1:30 p.m.
Where: 6706 Groveton Road, Manassas, VA 20109
Who: Hosted by Manassas National Battlefield Park, with special guests including the Manassas Battlefield Trust, the descendants of Andrew Redman and other dignitaries.
Background:The Andrew Redman Blacksmith Shop is the site of the shop operated by a formerly enslaved blacksmith who was freed by the Emancipation Proclamation. The site also witnessed some of the most intense combat of the 2nd Battle of Manassas.
Event Highlights:
The event will include the dedication of the blacksmith shop including speeches by the Manassas National Battlefield Park Superintendent Kris Butcher, park partner organizations, and Amanda Jeffries, descendant of Andrew Redman. The dedication ceremony will be followed by a ribbon cutting and unveiling of shop, opening it officially to the public. This will be followed by blacksmithing demonstrations and living history programs presenting the life of Andrew J. Redman.
From 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. there will be 45-minute-long ranger led program tours discussing the history of the Village of Groveton, the parts of the battle of Second Manassas that occurred there, and the history of Juneteenth.The event will feature multiple exhibits and sites to explore. The historic Lucinda Dogan House, which witnessed the Battles of Manassas, will have a special opening for the occasion. Additionally, there will be outdoor exhibits presented by the Manassas Museum and the Manassas Battlefield Trust.
The event will have children’s activities at the Junior Ranger tent adjacent to the blacksmith shop site where children and families can do scavenger hunts, complete the park Junior Ranger booklet, and become a Junior Archeologist with an interactive archeology sandbox program.
Visuals: There will be excellent opportunities to collect imagery including the unveiling ceremony and interviews with key participants.
Media Attendance:
Media representatives are invited to attend and cover this momentous occasion. Please RSVP by June 8 to ensure proper accommodations.
For additional information or to schedule interviews, please contact:
Andrew J. Bentley
Chief of Interpretation, Education and Visitor Services
Manassas National Battlefield Park
571-465-7662
Email
Last updated: June 3, 2024