Education at the Battlefield

Ranger led field trips to Manassas National Battlefield Park have been popular for decades!

NPS Photo

Manassas National Battlefield Park is a 5,000 acre open classroom, where students can learn about the American Civil War and the two major battles that took place here. Typically, our programs focus on the First Battle of Manassas, which was the first major land battle of the war and had major consequences for the nation which extend to the present day. By request we can also offer programs on the Second Battle of Manassas which was fought a year later only a little over two weeks before Antietam. On the line for President Lincoln was the Emancipation Proclamation.

For ranger-conducted education programs, dates and times are selected on a first-come, first-served basis. If we are unable to provide a ranger for your group on the date and time of your planned visit due to a prior reservation or other staffing concerns, your group will be encouraged to pick another date, attend regularly scheduled public tours that day, or pusue other self-guided activities in the park. All programs align with Virginia Standards of Learning and the National Council for the Social Studies standards.

Take some time to review the information below regarding the particulars of field trips.

We look forward to hosting you at the battlefield!

 

Students eagerly participating in Battlefield in a Box with volunteer staff on Henry Hill.

NPS

Field Trips

Please note that we do not offer programs between May 18th and June 5, 2025 because park staff are needed to participate in seasonal training. Except during the period between March 10th and May 17th, field trips are limited to Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays only.

If we are unable to book a field trip with you, your students are still welcome to visit the park and attend public tours offered at 11 a.m. daily. Education staff will be happy to faciliate planning for your self-guided visit. If your group is over 50, contact us to help curate your experience so that your students receive the maximum benefit from it. Please keep in mind that the Henry Hill Visitor Center is currently open 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and there is no fee to visit.

What does a typical field trip look like at the battlefield?

When students visit, educational programming involves rotating through different activities that look at the First Battle of Manassas through different foci. Most groups will watch the park film, spend time in the museum working on a scavenger hunt, and spend time with park staff on the field to learn more about the battle on the ground on which it was fought. More stations can be offered and are recommended depending on group size, staffing, and the amont of time your group can spend at the park. Typical groups usually plan on being at the battlefield 2-3 hours.

Some of the options we offer are listed below:

First Manassas Tour
This is a ranger-guided walking tour designed for school groups of any age. This 30-minute-1 hour tour (depending on your schedule) covers events and historical themes associated with the First Battle of Manassas. Tours are offered most weekdays by advance reservation only. By request, our First Manassas Tour can be tailored to provide more information about the roles of women, African-Americans, and/or the civilian experience. Pairs well with the Scavenger Hunt and Orientation Film.

Scavenger Hunt
The park offers grade-level scavenger hunts that serve as a companion to our museum space are available for school groups from 2nd-12th grade. Plan on at least 30-45 minutes to complete this activity. Pairs well with the First Manassas Tour and Orientation Film.

Orientation Film, Manassas: End of Innocence
This 45 minute film covers both the First and Second Battles of Manassas through the eyes of those that witnessed them. Pairs well with the Scavenger Hunt and First Manassas Tour. This film depicts the violence of the Civil War. It is best suited for students in fourth grade and above due to some scenes with depictions of violence.

Other Stations That Can Be Offered Depending on Interest, Staffing, and Group Size:

Battlefield in a Box
This interactive program teaches students more about the geography of the battlefield and why battles happen where they do by creating a map of the battlefield, assigning students roles of soldiers and commanders, and having them move on the map the way their counterparts did in 1861!

Move, Shoot, and Communicate
In this program, students learn more about both communicating and maneuvering on the battlefield. They will learn more about how soldiers fought and the importance of communication in ensuring success in battle. In this program, students will learn more about signal flags and the telegraph.

Soldier Life
Join living historians dressed in kit to learn more about the experience of being a soldier during the battles of Manassas. This program can focus on additional topics such as artillery and medicine depending on the availability of our living history staff and volunteers.

Horses in Battle
Manassas National Battlefield Park is home to four horses used by our Law Enforcement staff. When available, they and our Mounted Patrol Volunteers give a program on the role of horses in the Civil War and demonstrate how different types of horses were used for different purposes. At the end, students are able to ask questions and pet the horses!

Alternate Ways to Experience the Battlefield:

Virtually Manassas!
Join a ranger coming to you from the Manassas Battlefield! Park staff will work with you to design a program that best meets your needs. Past program topics include, being a Park Ranger and the history of the NPS; the First Battle of Manassas; and the civilian experience during the Civil War.

Classroom Visit
Let the Education Staff of Manassas National Battlefield Park come visit you, bringing the story of the Battles of Manassas, materials, and other hands-on items to your classroom. Availability of this option may be limited based on staffing.

To Make Reservations:
The park requires that all field trip requests be made at least one month in advance of visitng the park. We receive lots of requests from school groups and bus tours to visit the park, particularly in the spring. We want you to have a pleasant and enjoyable experience without having to compete with other large groups, so scheduling is the key. Please note that due to staffing, we are not able to accommodate groups on Tuesdays or Wednesdays at this time. If you are requesting a date more than four months out, we will plan to accommodate your request and add it to our calendar, but will not be able to confirm your reservation until a couple months out.

If you would like to request a field trip, classroom visit, or virtual field trip, fill out our reservation request form . You can also obtain a copy or return it by emailing [e-mail]. Please note that teachers should only fill out either section 2 (field trip),3 (classroom visit), or 4 (virtual field trip) depending on their preferred experience for their students. Also, section 5 which pertains to fee waivers does not need to be filled out because Manassas National Battlefield Park does not charge fees.

*All guided tours require a 1:10 adult to student ratio.

Non-Ranger Facilitated Programs:
While we offer formal educational programming, you are also welcome to visit the park on your own and park staff will be happy to help you curate a non-facilitated experience for your students. Please keep in mind if you plan to visit the park wit a large group, indoor space is limited in park buildings. We do not recommend having more than 35 students in our visitor center exhibits given the small size of the space. Our theater capacity is 130 for the park film which plays at the top of the hour throughout the day. Please note, if you plan to see the film and are running late, we cannot hold the film so make sure to arrive promptly at the scheduled show time.

If you would like a copy of our grade-level specific scavenger hunt for students to complete while in the museum, please email us. This scavenger hunt comes in three versions: upper elementary (4th-6th grade), middle School (7th-9th grade), and high school (10th-12th grade.)

If you have any questions related to your visit or reserving a field trip, please contact the park's Education Office at:
Phone: [phone] x1205
Email: email us