Events

Before the War
Occoquan Civil War Sesquicentennial Commemoration Event
July 31, 2010
(click here for event poster)

Join on us July 31, 2010, as Occoquan commemorates the 150th anniversary of the Civil War by re-enacting one of the earliest Civil War-related events to occur in Prince William County.  On July 4, 1860, a group of approximately sixty men erected on the property of one their members, Joseph T. Janney, a flagpole from which they flew a U.S. flag and a pennant bearing the names of Abraham Lincoln and his running mate, Hannibal Hamlin.  A little more than three weeks later, some forty members of the Prince William Militia rode into town, and despite the protestations of Mr. Janney, who presented the militia commander with a petition asking that he respect private property, the militia chopped down the "liberty pole" to the jeers of the Lincoln supporters and the cheers of southern sympathizers.  In the subsequent Presidential election in November, Abraham Lincoln received only 55 votes in Prince William County--all of those votes came from the Town of Occoquan.

Visit the Town of Occoquan as we present a day of Civil War commemoration activities built around a re-enactment of the liberty pole incident.  In addition to the re-enactment we will have a 19th century mourning and medical display in town hall, live period music in Mamie Davis Park, book signings by historians, two historical lectures at Rockledge mansion, free boat tours on the Occoquan with narration on the river's role in the Civil War, and special period children's activities.  We have spaced out the day's activities so you will have time to participate in whatever you like and still have plenty of time to shop and eat in beautiful, historic Occoquan--there will even be limited free shuttle bus service from selected commuter lots!

Schedule of Events
July 31, 2010

10:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.              Mourning Museum & Medical Display (Town Hall)
11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.             Lecture on the "Liberty Pole Incident" (Rockledge Mansion)
12:30 p.m.                                 Liberty Pole Re-enactment (NW end of Mill Street)
1:00 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.                Live Period Music (Mamie Davis Park)
1:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.                Free Boat Tours*
1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.                Book Signings (Various Shops)
1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.                Children's Activities (The Storytellers)
1:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.                Lecture on the "Liberty Pole Incident" (Rockledge Mansion)
2:00 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.                Live Period Music (Mamie Davis Park)

Limited free shuttle transportation will be available from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. from the commuter lots at the corner of Minnieville and Old Bridge Roads, and at the corner of Old Bridge Road and Route 123.

*Timed advance tickets for the boat tours will be available on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 10:00 a.m. at the information booth in Mamie Davis Park.

--And do not forget Occoquan's Farmers Market, every Saturday, from 8:00 a.m. to Noon, including on July 31--