Shared by Joanna Charlton, as Guest Blogger.

Leesylvannia State Park is providing a dose of civil war history. On September 21, the public will be able to look through a window into the past and witness the confederate military encampment and musket firing drills from the 1861 blockade on the Potomac. 

Visit a Civil War encampment at Leesylvania with costumed living historians to learn about the lives of soldiers.

Experience a reenactment of the Blockade on the Potomac at Leesylvania State Park

See historic weapons demonstration of musketry firing and drills

Stick around for a historic weapons demonstration of musketry firing and drills. There is no additional charge for this park event.

History

The Confederacy tried several blockades along the Potomac. The blockades located along Leesylvania shores were only active for a short time (1861-1862).

A 69-year-old African American by the name of Daniel Meyers was the first to breech the blockade on 10/16/1861. His boat took fire as he passed the blockade: several shells came close but none made contact with his boat. Other boats followed, some made it through, while others did not (“Blockade of the Potomac River—Northern Virginia,” 2014).

Reenactors will present a walk through history and retelling of The Blockade

The Henry Fairfax family bought the property which is now Leesylvania State Park from the Lee’s family in 1825, then his son, John Fairfax, inherited the estate in 1847. John Fairfax actually lived on the plantation during the civil war (1861 to 1865). 

Boat Tour and Lunch

For further entertainment you can take a tour on a boat which will leave the Leesylvania Docks at 10:00 am. This tour will encompass the blockade and includes a tasty lunch for $45.00. Contact Prince William County Historic Preservation Division for reservations at 703-792-4754.

We hope you'll join us for the reenactment of the Blockade at Freestone Point on September 21, 2019 on the anniversary of the 1861 Potomac Blockade.

For more information, and directions to Leesylvania State Park click here. To learn more about this event contact the visitors center at 703-583-6904.